By Molly Claire Goddard
3:14pm PST, Feb 19, 2026
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According to
Daily Express Royal Editor
Emily Ferguson,
Prince William must strike the right tone during his visit to the Middle East. "The Prince of Wales began his three-day trip to Saudi Arabia this evening, where he faces his biggest diplomatic challenge yet," she wrote. "But William appeared unfazed by the diplomatic tightrope that awaits him, as he chatted amiably to the Deputy Governor of Riyadh,
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, who greeted him as he arrived on Saudi soil for his first official visit."
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Although
Prince William wants the trip to go smoothly in order for the U.K. to maintain positive ties to Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's regime has been accused of human rights violations. According to the outlet,
Prince William was briefed on their ban of same s** relationships, public protest and the restriction of women's rights. "What's really important is the Prince [William] building a really strong relationship with the Crown Prince to allow every element of our bilateral relationship to be explored," a source told
Daily Express.
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Stephen Hitchens, the U.K. Ambassador to Riyadh, emphasized how thrilled the leadership is to have
Prince William visit. "They are delighted that he's here," he said via
Daily Express. "The fact that he's a prince and the future king matters enormously. They want it to be a friendship that lasts."
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As
Prince William gears up to eventually take over for
King Charles III, he's being handed more responsibilities. "Charles, it seems, has all but handed over the crown. He would prefer, as is his constitution, not to be embroiled in these messes, even as they pose existential threats to the future of the monarchy. William clearly has no such squeamishness," royal commentator
Maureen Callahan told
Daily Mail.
