The Crown Prince takes Prince William on a tour of the Al-Turaif district in Diriyah
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Diriyah this evening His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in a visit that reflects the depth of the historical relations between the two friendly kingdoms.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince accompanied his distinguished guest, Prince William, on an extensive field tour in Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state and its first capital, where they toured the historic Al-Turaif district, which is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered a prominent national symbol that tells the story of the struggle and building of the Saudi state over the centuries.
A journey deep into Saudi history
The tour included a showcase of the unique Najdi architectural style that characterizes the Al-Turaif district, where His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales viewed the details of traditional construction and the palaces of the imams and princes of the First Saudi State. The two stopped in front of the majestic Salwa Palace, the largest palace in the district and the center of government and administration during the First Saudi State, where they posed for a commemorative photograph in front of this prominent historical landmark.
The importance of Al-Turaif and Al-Diriyah neighborhoods
The Al-Turaif district holds exceptional importance as it represents the deep-rooted history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and contains architectural monuments dating back to the 18th century. The Crown Prince's interest in this site aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to revive national heritage and transform Diriyah into a global tourist and cultural destination, connecting its rich past with its prosperous present.
Significance and dimensions of the visit
Prince William's visit to Diriyah, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, underscores the strength of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The visit also reflects international interest in the major cultural and heritage projects underway in the Kingdom, with the Diriyah Gate development project being one of the most important heritage and tourism projects globally.
At the end of the tour, the visit included a detailed presentation of the master plan for the Diriyah project, where Prince William was briefed on the future vision for this historic site, and what it will contain in terms of cultural, tourist and residential facilities aimed at making it a global center for culture and heritage and a model for modern life inspired by authenticity.
