Prince William is preparing to step into the most sensitive international role of his public life as he travels to Saudi Arabia at the direct request of the UK government – a visit that places the future king at the centre of one of Britain’s most controversial diplomatic relationships.
“He didn’t flinch when the request came in,” a royal source told the BBC. “When the government asks, he goes.”
But this journey, the Prince of Wales’s first to the kingdom, represents a markedly different challenge from recent tours of Estonia, Poland or South Africa. Saudi Arabia’s global influence is growing fast, yet its leadership remains deeply contentious, leaving William to navigate a delicate balancing act between diplomacy, human rights concerns and Britain’s strategic interests.
Indeed, The Sunday Times describes the upcoming trip as ‘his biggest diplomatic challenge yet’.
The visit will focus on youth development and the transition away from fossil fuels – pillars of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic overhaul under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Once known primarily for its oil wealth and conservative social code, the kingdom has in recent years staged high-profile sporting events, film festivals and entertainment showcases in a bid to present a modernised image to the world.
Yet critics accuse the Saudi leadership of using culture and sport to distract from ongoing repression. Amnesty International and other groups continue to highlight restrictions on political dissent, the criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and the limited freedoms still faced by women despite recent reforms.
At the heart of William’s visit will be a private audience with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East. The prince is expected to be extensively briefed ahead of the meeting, including on the crown prince’s alleged involvement in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an accusation supported by a US intelligence report but repeatedly denied by Saudi authorities.
Whether William will raise human rights issues directly remains unclear. Palace aides traditionally refuse to comment on private discussions, though officials say the prince will be guided closely by the Foreign Office and the British embassy to ensure conversations serve broader diplomatic objectives.
The timing of the trip adds further complexity. It comes against the backdrop of renewed embarrassment for the Royal Family following the latest release of Epstein-related documents, which have intensified scrutiny of Prince Andrew and hastened his departure from Royal Lodge.
Despite the turbulence, government insiders describe Saudi Arabia as Britain’s top diplomatic priority in the region – and William as its most effective emissary.
“He is a diplomatic secret weapon,” one source said. “When the Saudis see Prince William arrive, it signals that the UK is serious about the relationship.”
The optics will be uncomfortable for many. Images of the Prince of Wales alongside the Saudi Crown Prince are likely to provoke criticism at home, particularly given the kingdom’s record on dissent and overseas intimidation of critics.
This latest trip, insiders say, marks another stage in William’s transformation from popular royal to international statesman. As Prince of Wales, he is increasingly being called upon to represent British interests in regions where diplomacy is fraught but influence is vital.
His task in Saudi Arabia will be to reinforce ties, encourage reform where possible, and demonstrate Britain’s continued engagement with a nation reshaping its global role – even as its leadership remains one of the most controversial on the world stage.
For Prince William, it is not simply another overseas tour. It is a defining test of the soft power he will one day inherit as king.
