Crowns and Complicity: The Enduring Utility of Royal Diplomacy
The story beneath the story: FIRST INSTANCE: The Legacy of Legitimacy (1979) The practice of using royal visits to underpin geopolitical objectives, even amidst human rights concerns, is not new. In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II visited Saudi Arabia, a trip deemed controversial by some given the Kingdom's human rights record at the time (Amnesty International, 1979). However, the visit proceeded,
strengthening Anglo-Saudi relations and economic ties, particularly petroleum access. The media coverage, while acknowledging some criticism, largely focused on the pageantry and mutual benefits, effectively framing the engagement as a necessary component of international diplomacy. REPETITIONS: The Rehabilitation Roadshow (1986, 2018) This playbook saw repetition. In 1986, Prince Charles (now
King Charles III) toured Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. This tour occurred amidst lingering concerns over press freedoms and political dissent within these states. Acknowledging internal dissent within the UK at the time, official statements emphasized 'long-standing friendships' and 'trade opportunities' (BBC, 1986). More recently, in 2018, Prince Charles again visited Saudi Arabia,
following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist critical of the Saudi government. Despite widespread international condemnation, the visit proceeded, signaling a continuation of diplomatic engagement. While the UK government stated that difficult human rights discussions would take place privately, the public optics served to normalize the regime on the international stage (The Guardian,