Saudi crown prince participates in ceremonial washing of the Kaaba

Prince Mohammed took part on behalf of King Salman

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia visited the Grand Mosque in Makkah to wash the Holy Kaaba. All pictures: SPA

The Crown Prince led the annual ceremony on behalf of his father King Salman.

He offered prayers before leading the annual ceremony.

During the ceremony, the Saudi monarch or his representative washes the interior of the Kaaba.

The shrine is cleaned with Zamzam water, mixed with rose water and fragrances.

The Crown Prince at prayer during the visit.

The Crown Prince was joined by dignitaries for the ceremony.

The washing of the Kaaba is preceded and followed by prayer.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took part in the annual ceremony to wash the Kaaba, on behalf of the Saudi king, state news agency SPA reported.

Prince Mohammed performed circumambulation of the Kaaba followed by a short prayer before washing it with a mixture of rosewater and the holy Zamzam water.

A virtual reality exhibition of the methods and items used to wash the Kaaba was also launched in tandem with the crown prince's visit by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.

King Salman issued a decree earlier this month to remove barricades surrounding the Kaaba after two years.

The barriers had prevented pilgrims from being able to touch the Kaaba and its covering, the kiswah.

Pilgrims endeavour to also reach for the black stone, the point from which the circumambulation begins and ends. It is also believed to have been placed by the Prophet Mohammed in 605 CE.

Last year, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque released never before seen images of the black stone.

Last year, King Salman gave Prince Khalid Al Faisal, governor of Makkah, the task of performing the ceremony.