In a sign of further liberalization and in continuation of the moves by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to open up the Kingdom and grant women a greater say in administration and policy making, Saudi Arabia’s first-ever lady ambassador took charge on Thursday.
Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud, who took office as the Kingdom’s envoy to the United States, is a 44-year-old veteran administrator and a graduate from the prestigious George Washington University (GWU) in the US capital.
Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Bandar bin Sultan and Haifa bint Faisal, Reema spent many of her early years in the United States, as her father Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud was the longest-serving (1983 – 2005) ambassador of the Kingdom to the United States. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in museum studies from GWU.
Expressing excitement in assuming charge of the mission in Washington, the new ambassador said on Twitter: “Honored to present my credentials today to @StateDept. Look forward to starting this chapter of life in Washington DC. The journey begins with a wonderful team.”
Relations between Riyadh and Washington have thrived since US President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. He visited Saudi Arabia in May 2017 as part of his first foreign trip as president and apparently hit off well with the Saudi Crown Prince.
Reema was appointed to the post in February. In 2016, she served as the Saudi General Sports Authority’s (GSA) Deputy of Planning and Development, where she has led diversity and inclusion (D&I), the development of the Kingdom’s sports economy, and strategic partnerships.
She was also appointed as vice president of women’s affairs at the General Sports Authority (GSA) and as president of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports and successfully pushed for the inclusion of physical education for girls in schools.
In 2017, Princess Reema was awarded H.H. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award for her role played in the empowerment of women in the region.
In March 2019, following her appointment as ambassador to the United States, she was also appointed to head the newly established Saudi Special Olympics Federation.
