Prince William Explores Saudi Arabia's Sustainable Urban Regeneration Initiative
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, embarked on the second day of his official visit to Saudi Arabia by touring an environmentally sustainable urban regeneration project in Riyadh. The future king walked through the site, which has been nominated for his prestigious Earthshot Prize, and engaged with students along a newly created 'green cultural pathway'.
Sustainable Development and Vision 2030
The Prince examined a section of the ambitious 83-mile Sports Boulevard programme, an extensive network that connects cycling paths, horse trails, green parks, and cultural landmarks throughout the Saudi capital. This innovative project has been constructed along an old line of electricity pylons, with ambitious goals to plant over four million square metres of greenery and nearly 200,000 trees.
This regeneration initiative directly supports the core quality-of-life objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming the kingdom into a diversified and sustainable economy. During his tour, Prince William was shown an environmentally sustainable helmet and conversed with Professor Osman Bakr, a physics expert from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
Diplomatic Engagement and Future Plans
Later in the day, William was scheduled to join young Saudi girls learning football skills at Misk Sports City in Riyadh, where he would hear about the growing participation of women in sports across the country. This three-day diplomatic mission is designed to strengthen the United Kingdom's ties with one of its key Middle Eastern allies, but faces potential overshadowing from ongoing controversies.
The visit began yesterday with Prince William holding talks with Saudi leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by a private dinner at the crown prince's farm located within a UNESCO World Heritage site in the capital. Both London and Riyadh express hope that these two royals, who have met previously, will develop a meaningful connection that could set the tone for Anglo-Saudi relations for decades to come.
Epstein Scandal Casts Shadow Over Royal Visit
However, the Prince of Wales's diplomatic efforts risk being overshadowed by the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal involving his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Buckingham Palace stated last night that it would 'stand ready to support' Thames Valley Police if approached regarding claims involving the King's brother.
The Prince and Princess of Wales publicly addressed the Epstein crisis for the first time yesterday, with Kensington Palace releasing a statement expressing their 'deep concern' about the 'continued revelations' and emphasizing that their thoughts 'remain focused on the victims'. Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles in December, has faced renewed allegations following the recent release of millions of documents related to the disgraced financier, though he has strenuously denied all wrongdoing.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remains a controversial figure in Western circles, leading an absolute monarchy that has faced accusations of human rights violations. The Saudi ruler's reputation suffered significant damage after a US intelligence determination claimed he ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Despite these controversies, Saudi officials expressed delight at Prince William's visit, with one source noting: 'The fact that he's a prince and the future king matters enormously. They want it to be a friendship that lasts.' The Prince was greeted upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport by the deputy governor of Riyadh and received a traditional Arabic coffee welcome before beginning his royal engagements.
