Prince William has touched down in Saudi Arabia, a kingdom of sweeping deserts, gleaming skyscrapers and, as the world was once grimly reminded, a troubling record when it comes to dissenting journalists. Diplomacy, like air miles, must be collected wherever available.
There is something faintly surreal about a modern British prince touring a state synonymous with both ambitious reform and the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi — the Washington Post columnist murdered in 2018 in a case that sparked global outrage. One imagines the briefing notes were delicately phrased. “Focus on trade, Your Royal Highness. Smile near the solar farms. Avoid the word ‘consulate.’”
To be fair, this is the tightrope of contemporary royalty: shake hands without appearing to wash them; promote dialogue while sidestepping the awkward silences. The Saudi leadership is keen to showcase Vision 2030 — futuristic cities, sports investments, soft-power gloss. Britain, meanwhile, is keen on investment, stability and not being left out of the photo.
William’s visit will be framed as bridge-building. And perhaps it is. But bridges, like reputations, depend on solid foundations. When a country is still shadowed by the memory of a journalist dismembered for his words, the choreography of royal diplomacy can feel less like statecraft and more like stagecraft.
Smile for the cameras. Mind the sharp edges.
Maybe the Saudi prince was also shaking a blood-soaked hand!
Touché
Unfortunately this is just the way the world operates. The British royal family will be used to sugar coat huge arms deals and God knows what else. It is the same with China, the jailing of dissidents and the killing of it’s own people count for nothing. You can’t really ignore one of the world’s biggest economies. South Africa (and to a lesser extent) Israel can be boycotted but the likes of China and Saudi are a lot harder to ignore.