Prince William embarked on a three-day diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, marking his first official overseas trip of 2026 and his biggest diplomatic test to date. The United Kingdom (UK) Government requested the visit as Britain strengthens relations with the kingdom despite ongoing human rights concerns.
The trip is William's first to the Middle East since 2023, when he traveled to Kuwait to pay condolences following the death of the country's former ruling emir.
Human rights organizations accuse the regime of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of extensive use of the death penalty, suppression of freedom of expression, and abuses of migrant workers.
Human Rights Questions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced accusations of prioritizing economic growth over human rights concerns after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2024. A United States (US) intelligence determination that he ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi badly damaged the Crown Prince's reputation.
Critics also accuse the kingdom of "sportswashing" by investing in major events like the 2034 World Cup to divert attention from alleged wrongdoing.
Recent visits by the UK Chancellor and Foreign Secretary have further strengthened relations with Saudi Arabia, a key Middle East ally for Britain.
William's agenda includes meeting young Saudis and learning about the country's future plans, including commitments to sustainability. He will also travel to the historic city of AlUla to learn about efforts to protect its natural wildlife and landscape.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
