Prince William met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to kick off his first official visit to Saudi Arabia, touring Diriyah and holding talks aimed at deepening trade, energy and investment ties. Kensington Palace said William and Catherine were 'deeply concerned' by new revelations tied to Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, which have risked overshadowing the trip. The visit includes a conservation-focused stop in AlUla and comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Saudi human rights issues, including the Khashoggi case.
Prince William Meets Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh as Visit Is Clouded by Epstein Allegations
William (R) will visit Saudi Arabia as the furore over his uncle Andrew's (L) ties to Epstein rumbles on (Alastair GRANT)(Alastair GRANT/POOL/AFP)
Britain's Prince William met Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh on Monday as he began his first official visit to the kingdom. The Saudi Press Agency released photographs showing the crown prince guiding the heir to the throne on a private tour of the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah before bilateral talks.
William and Catherine were 'deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,' Kensington Palace said in a short statement issued ahead of the visit.
The statement followed the release of documents from the US Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein that contain fresh allegations about Prince Andrew. The files suggest Andrew may have passed potentially sensitive reports to Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 — claims that have intensified scrutiny of the royal family during William's trip.
Visit Objectives and Context
William's three-day trip, which concludes on Wednesday, is intended to highlight expanding trade, energy and investment ties as the two countries approach a century of diplomatic relations. Trade in goods and services between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia totaled approximately $23.5 billion in the year to June 30, 2025.
As part of the itinerary, the prince — a long-time advocate for environmental causes — will visit the historic city of AlUla to learn about conservation and heritage projects supported by Saudi initiatives.
Diplomacy Under Scrutiny
Observers say the visit comes as the UK government looks to strengthen economic links with one of its most important Gulf partners. Simon Mabon, chair in international relations at Lancaster University, described the long-standing ties between the two royal households and suggested William's presence could help cement commercial and diplomatic goodwill.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted William's polished diplomatic skills, citing recent high-profile meetings, but warned that planned royal engagements can be overtaken by breaking news and controversy.
The visit also occurs against a backdrop of human rights concerns. The UK sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals in 2020 over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018, and a 2021 US intelligence assessment suggested the crown prince approved the operation — an allegation Riyadh denies. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in December 2024.
Historically close ties endure: the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted Saudi royals on multiple state visits, and the last senior British royal to visit Riyadh was now-King Charles III when he traveled as Prince of Wales in February 2014.
William's visit therefore balances economic outreach and conservation diplomacy with heightened public and media scrutiny over allegations related to his uncle. How the visit's diplomatic gains weigh against reputational concerns will shape coverage in the coming days.
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