- - Prince William Meets Controversial Royal Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, with Any Concerns to Be Raised 'Privately'

Meredith KileFebruary 10, 2026 at 3:22 AM

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Prince William and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Prince William arrived in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 9, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The crown prince remains a controversial figure over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and has faced international scrutiny following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Prince William and other world leaders, including U.S. presidents, maintain a relationship with Saudi Arabia as a trade and military ally

Prince William arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, Feb. 9, for the start of a three-day visit that included a meeting with one of the world’s most controversial royal figures, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

During the first day of his diplomatic visit, the Prince of Wales, 43, met with the Saudi crown prince, 40, touring At-Turaif — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah — before sharing a private dinner.

Mohammed bin Salman is both the heir apparent to the Saudi throne and the country’s prime minister. He has remained under sustained international scrutiny over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, as well as following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

William’s visit was made at the request of the U.K. government and reflects his expanding responsibilities as heir to the throne. In his role as Prince of Wales, he undertakes official diplomatic engagements on behalf of the Crown — a constitutional duty that requires political neutrality, regardless of personal views.

ITV reported from Saudi Arabia that any concerns he has about the rulers of this country will be raised "privately." According to the outlet, British diplomats say the crown prince does accept alternative points of view from foreign governments and individuals — provided it's done privately. Public concerns, they say, could risk a setback in relations.

Despite ongoing controversy, Prince William — like other world leaders, including U.S. presidents — continues to engage with Saudi leadership, as the kingdom remains a key trade and military ally.

Prince William tours a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 9, 2026

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

A 2023 report by the U.S. Department of State cited “significant human rights issues” in Saudi Arabia, including unlawful and politically-motivated killings, restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, oppression and violence against women and LGBTQ+ individuals, mistreatment of migrant workers and unfair elections.

Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist, was also the editor of the progressive Saudi newspaper Al Watan. He fled Saudi Arabia in 2017 amid mounting pressure from the government over his criticism of the king, the crown prince and the war in Yemen.

In October 2018, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, seeking promised documents related to his recent marriage. He never emerged, and his body was never recovered.

In December 2018, a C.I.A. investigation concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered Khashoggi’s killing — a claim the royal has repeatedly denied.

Ahead of the crown prince’s November 2025 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr-Khashoggi, wrote a letter to Trump, pleading for his help in "securing justice and accountability for the murder of my husband."

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with President Donald Trump at the White House on Nov. 18, 2025

Win McNamee/Getty

When the two leaders later spoke with reporters, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman again disavowed any role in the assassination.

"It's really painful to hear anyone that been losing his life for, you know, no real purpose or nothing illegal," he said. "And it's been painful for us in Saudi Arabia. We did all the right steps of investigation, et cetera, in Saudi Arabia, and we even improved our system to be sure that nothing [happens] like that. And it's painful and it's a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again."

Trump’s relationship with the Saudi royal family has also drawn scrutiny due to his family’s business dealings in the kingdom. Less than two months after the crown prince’s visit to Washington, D.C., the Trump Organization announced expanded real estate plans in Saudi Arabia totaling $10 billion.

President Joe Biden likewise faced criticism for his July 2022 meeting with Saudi leadership, during which he was photographed fist-bumping the crown prince — despite previously saying he would not meet with him during the trip.

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Prince William is expected to continue diplomatic discussions with Saudi leadership during his visit, which underscores his increasingly prominent role on the global stage as Prince of Wales.

The two men have met before, including alongside William’s father, King Charles, during the crown prince’s visit to London in March 2018 — months before Khashoggi’s death.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”