It seems Prince William has traded the drizzly hills of Windsor for the sun drenched palaces of Riyadh. Our future King is currently on a three day mission to Saudi Arabia, and no, he is not there to top up his tan. The UK government basically packed his bags and shoved him on a plane because they need him to “work his royal magic” on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, often known as MBS.
The official reason for this little jaunt is to celebrate a century of diplomatic ties. However, everyone knows the real goal is to grease the wheels for a massive trade deal that is supposedly “97.5% done”. Apparently, nothing says “please sign this contract” like a visit from a literal millennial Prince.
Millennial Princes Ruling the World
There is a certain irony in seeing William, the man who has spent years building a brand as a thoughtful and socially conscious chap, shaking hands with a ruler whose resume includes some rather dark chapters. Commentators love to point out that because William is 43 and MBS is 40, these two will likely be running their respective shows at the same time for decades. It is like a very expensive, high stakes version of a school reunion, only with billions of pounds in investment on the table.
Royal historians claim that the Saudi monarchy is much more comfortable chatting with fellow royals than with “here today, gone tomorrow” politicians. While a foreign secretary might get a polite nod, a senior royal can generate the kind of “mood music” that opens heavy palace doors. It is all about the long game, which is easy to play when your job is essentially permanent.
A Bit of a Stomach Churner
Not everyone is cheering from the sidelines. Critics are finding these photos of William and MBS a bit hard to swallow. Saudi Arabia is not exactly known for its stellar human rights record, especially regarding the oppression of dissent and the criminalisation of same sex relationships. Then there is the lingering, grisly memory of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose murder still casts a very long shadow over the kingdom.
One particularly cheerful expert even suggested William should avoid any invites to tour the Crown Prince’s yacht. There are some truly stomach churning rumours floating around about what might be kept on board as trophies. It is safe to say that this is not your average state visit to a friendly neighbour.
Trouble in the Palace
While William plays the diplomat abroad, things back home are reportedly a bit more “icy.” Sources have weighed in on King Charles and Prince William’s relationship, reporting that the father and son are currently not speaking. The situation is “icy at best and explosive at worst,” sources reported via ShuterScoop, noting that tensions are “worse than they’ve been in years”.
“They clash because they’re too similar,” a courtier has reported of their dynamic. “Both believe they’re right. Neither backs down easily”. The Mountbatten-Windsors continue to make headlines, with the royal family being the most talked about in the world. King Charles and heir to the throne Prince William remain at the centre as the most senior members of the fold. However, according to sources, this has caused a power struggle, with the pair experiencing significant tension in their relationship.
The Cost of Doing Business
At the end of the day, this trip is a classic case of Realpolitik. The Gulf state has poured billions into the UK economy, and British politicians are desperate for more. If William has to sit through a few awkward dinners to secure the bag, the government seems perfectly happy to let him get on with it.
William is walking a very thin tightrope between being a modern, moral leader and a useful tool for British trade. He is trying to bridge the gap between his grandmother’s world and a Saudi Arabia that looks very different today, even if the old habits die hard. We will have to wait and see if his “royal nudge” is enough to finish that trade deal or if he just ends up with some very controversial holiday snaps.
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