Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador presents credentials to Donald Trump

Princess Reema bint Bandar was appointed as ambassador to the US earlier this year

Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Riyadh’s new ambassador to the US, presents her credentials to President Donald Trump at the White House. Courtesy: @rbalsaud

Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to the United States, Princess Reema bint Bandar, met President Donald Trump on Monday to present her credentials.

Princess Reema, the kingdom’s first female ambassador, took her oath before King Salman in Riyadh in April before starting in the position last month.

“The Saudi-US partnership is essential to the interests of both countries,” she said in an embassy statement.

The two countries are bound by shared interests in the Middle East amid rising tensions in the Arabian Gulf.

On Twitter, the ambassador said she looked forward to “strengthening and solidifying” that partnership.

Princess Reema, a former business executive and philanthropist, succeeds Prince Khaled bin Salman, who has been appointed Saudi Arabia’s deputy defence minister.

Princess Reema lived in America for 20 years while her father, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, served as ambassador to the US. She attended George Washington University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies.

Her appointment comes as Saudi Arabia moves towards granting women more freedom – last year, the government allowed women to drive.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated the princess on social media, saying that he “looks forward to working with her in her new role”.

Princess Reema has dedicated her career to bettering the lives of Saudi women, serving as the deputy of planning and development for the Saudi General Sports Authority and as the authority’s vice president of women’s affairs.

Before entering public service, she worked to create opportunities for women in the workplace.