Princess Reema was appointed as a new Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States on Sunday. The 44-year-old royal became the first female Saudi who got that high diplomatic post ever.
Princess Reema replaces her predecessor, also a royal. Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of Mohammed bin Salman, is returning to Riyadh to serve as deputy defence minister. The first Saudi Arabian female ambassador wrote on Twitter that will work with God’s permission to serve her country, its leaders and all its children. Princess Reema also vowed to spare no effort to that end.
Princess Reema bint Abandar Al Saud is the daughter of the kingdom’s former ambassador to Washington, Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud. One of her first tasks will be improving relations between Washington and Riyadh which have deteriorated since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. During the investigation, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud insisted Mr Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.
Who is Princess Reema bint Abandar Al Saud?
Princess Reema was born in 1975, she graduated with a degree in museum studies from George Washington University while living in the US during her father’s 20 years as the Saudi ambassador, which ended in 2005.
The divorced mother-of-two is known for her philanthropic work in Saudi and has pushed for women to be included in sports and education.
As deputy of planning and development for the Saudi General Sports Authority, the princess got girls to be included in physical education in schools and has won an award for empowering women. The 44-year-old royal is a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Women in Sports Commission.
As chief executive of luxury department store Harvey Nichols in Riyadh, she has led the inclusion of women into the retail sector and created the kingdom’s first workplace nursery so more women can raise their level of professionalism and work the full day.
