Saudi Arabia appoints princess as first female ambassador to the US
The philanthropist and women's rights activist becomes Saudi's US ambassador following tensions over Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
Sunday 24 February 2019 14:31, UK
Saudi Arabia has appointed a princess as its first ever female ambassador as the kingdom's rulers attempt to modernise.
Princess Reema bint Abandar Al Saud, 44, was announced on Sunday as Saudi's ambassador to the US, making her the top Saudi diplomat in the country.
The daughter of the kingdom's former ambassador to Washington, Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, will be tasked with improving relations between the two countries which have deteriorated since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
She replaces Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, King Salman's son and a former fighter pilot, who insisted Washington Post columnist Mr Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.
Instead, he was allegedly assassinated and dismembered inside the consulate by members of the entourage of his brother, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Princess Reema 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 she got girls to be included in physical education in schools and has won an award for empowering women.
She 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 work.
She is the founder of Alf Khair, a social enterprise helping to raise the capital of Saudi women in the workplace.
The princess also founded a breast cancer organisation to encourage early detection, prevention and treatment of the disease.
"I will work with God's permission to serve my country, its leaders and all its children and I will spare no effort to that end," Princess Reema wrote in Arabic on Twitter after her appointment.
King Salman and Prince Mohammed have been trying to modernise Saudi, allowing women to drive for the first time last year.
However, women's rights activists have also been arrested as part of a wider crackdown on any perceived dissent in the nation.