• New Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, April 16, 2019. SPA
    New Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, April 16, 2019. SPA
  • Ambassadors recently designated to a number of countries were sworn-in in front of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Al-Yamamah Palace. SPA
    Ambassadors recently designated to a number of countries were sworn-in in front of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Al-Yamamah Palace. SPA
  • Princess Reema bint Bandar speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh in 2018. AFP
    Princess Reema bint Bandar speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh in 2018. AFP
  • Princess Reema bint Bandar speaks at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC. AFP
    Princess Reema bint Bandar speaks at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC. AFP
  • Princess Reema Bint Bandar at the World Economic Forum. Boris Baldinger
    Princess Reema Bint Bandar at the World Economic Forum. Boris Baldinger
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, meets with Princess Reema Bint Bandar and Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, during a Sea Palace barza in Abu Dhabi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, meets with Princess Reema Bint Bandar and Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, during a Sea Palace barza in Abu Dhabi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • British Prime Minister Theresa May and Princess Reema Bint Bandar chat with Saudi girls during a basketball class at the Olympic headquarters in Riyadh on April 5, 2017. AFP
    British Prime Minister Theresa May and Princess Reema Bint Bandar chat with Saudi girls during a basketball class at the Olympic headquarters in Riyadh on April 5, 2017. AFP

Saudi Princess Reema bint Bandar sworn in as Kingdom's ambassador to Washington


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Princess Reema bint Bandar was sworn in as the kingdom’s ambassador to the US on Tuesday.

Princess Reema took the oath in front of King Salman in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, officially making her the country's first female ambassador.

She replaces Prince Khaled bin Salman, who is now the kingdom’s deputy defence minister.

Princess Reema was nominated for the role on February 23 and is now the 11th Saudi diplomatic representative to Washington.

Her brother, Prince Khaled bin Bandar, was sworn in as the new Saudi ambassador to the UK, the Saudi news agency said.

Prince Khaled was the kingdom's ambassador to Germany.

The princess has extensive experience with US politics and diplomacy, having lived in Washington when her father, Prince Bandar, was ambassador.

Prince Bandar is one of the grandchildren of King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia.

Princess Reema obtained a bachelor's degree in museum studies at George Washington University in Washington.

She then founded Alf Khair, a social media enterprise to boost involvement of Saudi women in the professional world.

In 2014, Forbes Middle East magazine chose Princess Reema as one of the most powerful Arab women in the Middle East.

She was appointed president of the Mass Participation Federation in 2017, becoming the first woman to lead a multi-sports federation in Saudi Arabia, driving communities towards a more active lifestyle.

Last month, Princess Reema was appointed head of the Saudi Special Olympics Federation.

Born in 1975 in Riyadh, Princess Reema worked as an adviser in the office of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Women across the kingdom have experienced many changes in recent years.

They can now drive, launch businesses without a guardian’s permission, attend sport matches and enrol in the military.