Saudi Arabia launches a charm offensive in Britain
Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to change people’s image of the kingdom
THE habitual reaction was to shy away. Saudi Arabia’s princes used to shrink from Britain’s press like women in purdah. A critical BBC documentary prompted King Khalid to cancel a trip to Britain in 1980. Royal visits, after all, were hunting season, rich in opportunities to bash the kingdom. “Truth about the savage House of Saud,” roared the Daily Mirror during the late King Abdullah’s visit in 2007, arguing that flags should hang at half-mast “in shame” to receive a monarch who “squandered [his wealth] on whores, palaces and private jets”. The Saudis responded with silence. Eliciting a “no comment” was an accomplishment. Everything was banned in the kingdom—journalists most of all.
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Prince Charm-offensive”
Britain March 10th 2018
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- The EU rejects Theresa May’s “pick ’n’ mix” Brexit plan
- Saudi Arabia launches a charm offensive in Britain
- Britain’s EU migrants get a first chance to vote since the referendum
- Rough sleeping in England has more than doubled
- Is inequality rising or falling?
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- It could happen in Britain
From the March 10th 2018 edition
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