The Prince of Wales visited Saudi Arabia as part of an official overseas engagement focused on environmental initiatives, youth development, and sport. During the visit, Prince William participated in activities at MISK Sports City in Riyadh, where he met young female footballers and learned about the development of women’s sport in the Kingdom.
The visit was covered by reputable media outlets including BBC News and Reuters, which documented his engagements with Saudi officials and youth athletes. During one of these appearances, a journalist directed a question toward the Prince regarding issues connected to Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein. There is no official record confirming that the Prince responded to that question during the event.
Official Visit to Saudi Arabia
Prince William’s visit formed part of his broader international role supporting environmental causes and youth engagement. According to Kensington Palace statements issued ahead of similar international visits, such trips often include meetings with community leaders, young people, and sports organizations.
At MISK Sports City in Riyadh, the Prince met girls aged approximately 10 to 15 who were participating in organized football training sessions. He was joined by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, and Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Lamia Bahaian also serves on FIFA committees related to women’s football development.
According to FIFA and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), women’s football in Saudi Arabia has expanded significantly in recent years. In 2021, SAFF launched the first official Saudi Women’s Premier League, marking a milestone in the formal development of the sport in the country.
Women’s Football in Saudi Arabia: Verified Developments
Saudi Arabia introduced reforms beginning in 2017 that allowed women to attend sporting events in stadiums, as reported by BBC News and Reuters. The same year, physical education for girls was introduced into public school curricula, according to official statements from the Saudi Ministry of Education.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation formally established a women’s national team in 2021. FIFA has recognized Saudi Arabia’s investment in grassroots football development programs for girls and young women.
Lamia Bahaian has publicly spoken about the growth of opportunities for female athletes under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform program, which aims to diversify the economy and expand participation in sport and cultural activities.
During the visit, Prince William discussed with participants how increased access to sport can support confidence, teamwork, and leadership among young people. His engagement reflected his longstanding interest in football and youth sport.
Prince William and Football
Prince William has long been associated with football in the United Kingdom. He previously served as President of the Football Association (FA) from 2006 to 2024. In that role, he regularly attended major tournaments, including the UEFA European Championship and the FA Cup Final.
He has publicly supported grassroots football initiatives and youth participation programs across the UK. According to The Football Association, his involvement helped promote mental health awareness and community development through sport.
During the Riyadh engagement, Prince William participated in light football drills with the young players. Media footage showed him taking part in informal activities, including attempting shots on goal. Any brief slip or stumble that may have occurred was not reported as resulting in injury, and no official medical concern was raised.
Media Question Regarding Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein
While departing one of the sporting engagements, a broadcast journalist called out a question asking whether the Royal Family had done enough in relation to Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein.
It is important to note the following verified facts:
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In 2019, Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties following public criticism over his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
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In January 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Andrew would return his military affiliations and royal patronages to Queen Elizabeth II and would no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” in an official capacity.
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In February 2022, Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement in a U.S. civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre. The settlement included a statement expressing regret for his association with Epstein but did not include an admission of liability.
These developments were officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace and widely reported by BBC News, Reuters, and The Guardian.
There has been no official statement indicating that the Prince of Wales addressed the journalist’s question during the Saudi visit. Royal engagements often continue without response to shouted media questions, particularly during international diplomatic visits.
Official Statements on Victim Support
Public communications from Buckingham Palace have consistently emphasized that matters relating to Prince Andrew are separate from the official duties of other members of the Royal Family.
In prior statements regarding Epstein-related developments, palace spokespeople have stated that senior working royals remain focused on their official responsibilities. Where appropriate, official communications have expressed sympathy for victims of abuse and support for due process under the law.
No official Kensington Palace statement specific to the Saudi visit referenced the Epstein matter.
Youth Engagement and Community Diplomacy
Prince William’s participation in youth football training sessions aligns with his broader public focus on community resilience and youth opportunity. Sport is frequently used as a diplomatic bridge during international visits.
According to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), cultural and sporting exchanges are often included in overseas engagements to strengthen people-to-people ties between countries.
The visit to MISK Sports City provided an opportunity to highlight:
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The growth of women’s participation in sport in Saudi Arabia
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International collaboration in football development
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Youth empowerment initiatives
The young athletes presented Prince William with Saudi national team shirts for his children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—a gesture commonly exchanged during diplomatic sporting visits.
Conclusion
Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia included a documented engagement with young female footballers at MISK Sports City, where he learned about the development of women’s sport in the Kingdom. Verified reporting confirms his participation in youth football activities and meetings with Saudi sports leaders.
A journalist directed a question regarding Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein during the visit, but there is no official confirmation that the Prince of Wales responded. Previous developments regarding Prince Andrew’s withdrawal from public duties and legal settlement were formally announced by Buckingham Palace in 2019 and 2022.
The engagement primarily highlighted youth development and the expanding role of women’s football in Saudi Arabia—an area recognized by FIFA and Saudi sports authorities as part of broader reforms under Vision 2030.