Prince William in Al-Ula: A historic and environmental tour that promotes cultural partnership
His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, paid an important visit to AlUla Governorate, accompanied by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla. This visit aimed to highlight the region's rich cultural heritage and to strengthen cultural and environmental cooperation between the two kingdoms.
A journey into the depths of history and civilization
The British Crown Prince's tour included visits to several of AlUla's most prominent archaeological sites, where he received a detailed explanation of the history of the "Old Town" and its human significance as a crossroads for caravans along the historic "Incense Route." AlUla is considered an open-air museum that tells the stories of successive civilizations that have inhabited this land for thousands of years. This reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving and showcasing world heritage as an integral part of its national identity, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which places great importance on the heritage and culture sector.
Environmental sustainability and nature conservation
As part of his well-known interest in environmental and climate issues, Prince William was briefed on the Royal Commission for AlUla's tireless efforts in nature conservation and ecological balance restoration. The visit included a tour of the Sharaan Nature Reserve, where he learned about pioneering initiatives to rehabilitate natural habitats, breeding and reintroduction programs for endangered wildlife such as the Arabian oryx and the Nubian ibex, as well as the ambitious program to protect and reintroduce the Arabian leopard to its native habitat – a project that aligns with global concerns for biodiversity conservation.
Strategic partnership and cultural exchange
The visit was not limited to historical and environmental aspects, but also included cultural and artistic dimensions. His Highness viewed the artworks displayed as part of the "AlUla Arts Festival" and met with a group of young Saudi men and women participating in cultural exchange programs and joint initiatives. These meetings reflect the depth of the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Britain and underscore the role of arts and culture as a bridge for civilizational communication between peoples.
This visit carries significant international implications, highlighting Al-Ula’s status as a global tourist and cultural destination, and confirming the Kingdom’s success in transforming this region into a global center for cultural dialogue and sustainable development, while preserving its unique natural and historical character.
