Prince William departs Al-Ula: Details of the conclusion of the British Crown Prince's visit to Saudi Arabia
His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, left Al-Ula Governorate today, concluding an important visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which reflected the depth of the historical relations between the two friendly countries.
Official farewell ceremony at Al-Ula International Airport
Al-Ula International Airport witnessed an official farewell ceremony for His Royal Highness the British Crown Prince, who was seen off by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah Region, and His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate.
The farewell ceremony was also attended by a number of senior civilian and military officials, including the Director of the Madinah Region Police, Major General Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, and the Director of the Royal Protocol Office in the region, Mr. Ibrahim bin Abdullah Barri, reflecting the great warmth and official interest in this high-level visit.
Al-Ula: A global destination and a meeting point of civilizations
Prince William's visit to AlUla Governorate is of particular importance, given the governorate's global historical and cultural significance. The visit comes at a time when AlUla is undergoing major transformations under the leadership of the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, whose board of directors is chaired by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and whose work is overseen on the ground by His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.
AlUla is now a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in both tourism and culture, as it is home to Hegra, the first Saudi site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A visit from a figure of the stature of the British Crown Prince will help to highlight the Kingdom’s rich human heritage on a global scale and further solidify AlUla’s position as a leading heritage tourism destination worldwide.
Strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and Britain
The importance of this visit extends beyond mere protocol; it underscores the enduring strength of Saudi-British relations, which have spanned decades. This step aims to bolster the strategic partnership between the two kingdoms across various fields, particularly in cultural and civilizational exchange.
The presence of His Highness the Minister of Culture at the farewell to the distinguished guest clearly indicates the Kingdom’s interest in strengthening cultural ties with the United Kingdom, supporting joint initiatives that serve the interests of the two friendly peoples, and opening new horizons for future cooperation.
