PRINCE OF HEARTS

Prince William cements his status as a diplomatic future King on a tour of Saudi Arabia

- CARLI WHITWELL WITH FILES FROM EMILY NASH

The Prince of Wales has completed his most important diplomatic mission yet, proving once again that the future of the monarchy is in capable hands.

Prince William, 43, spent three days in Saudi Arabia, building ties with the country and its divisive leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in what a spokesman for Kensington Palace described as “yet another example of the prince representing the U.K. at the highest level on the global stage.”

DOWN TO BUSINESS

It was straight to work for the future King when he arrived in the capital, Riyadh. William and the crown prince toured the UNESCO World Heritage Site at At-Turaif – a 15th-century city in Diriyah — before having a private audience and an evening meal. “We chatted about a lot of things. Very good,” said the prince.