A Saudi prince died in a London hotel after consuming a lethal cocktail of drugs and alcohol, an inquest has heard. Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Jalawi al Saud, 29, was found in a bathroom at the Marriott Hotel in Kensington in November. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.222%, nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit of 0.08%. Traces of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Xanax were also found in his system.
Prior treatment and inquest details
Before his death, the prince had been a patient at the Priory Clinic in Roehampton, where a single week’s stay can cost more than £50,000. Dr Victoria Chamorro, a consultant psychiatrist, told the inquest: “He was supportive and kind to his peers, making friends.” She added: “He was assessed as having symptoms of low mood and anxiety on admission.” When discharged, he was “considered not to be at risk of suicide”.
“He was discharged with a friend but then failed to attend scheduled Zoom appointments,” Chamorro said. “Nevertheless, there was no concern for him. He engaged well and completed his treatment.”
Royal statement and funeral
The Saudi Royal Court issued a statement after his death: “Passed to the mercy of God Almighty His Highness Prince Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Al Saud, outside the Kingdom, and will be prayed for today, Tuesday, 11/6/1447 AH, after the Asr prayer at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.” It added: “May Allah bless him with His mercy, forgiveness and acceptance, and grant him a spacious abode in His Paradise, for we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.”
Al Saud served as the Saudi President of the federation overseeing national horse racing, show jumping and endurance riding. As a member of the Al Jalawi branch of the royal family, he was not in the direct line of succession. A royal funeral was held in Riyadh.
