JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman departed for France on Friday on a state visit.
The Royal Court, in a statement, said that the visit is being carried out on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and in response to an invitation extended by the French President to the Crown Prince, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Royal Court: HRH the Crown Prince Departs on State Visit to France Upon Directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and French President’s Invitation.#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/wCM6SgmOgv
— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) August 21, 2026
The Elysee Palace earlier announced that President Emmanuel Macron will receive the Crown Prince on Sunday, for a two-day state visit expected to focus on developments in the Middle East and other regional issues, alongside efforts to strengthen the strategic and economic partnership between Riyadh and Paris.
The visit follows Macron’s trip to Saudi Arabia in December 2024 and is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Paris and Riyadh.
For the first time, Macron and the Crown Prince will also convene a meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
The two leaders are expected to discuss key economic and strategic issues shaping bilateral ties, as well as major regional developments. The Elysee Palace said close coordination between France and its Gulf partners was increasingly important to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Macron and Mohammed bin Salman will also attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup on Sunday, marking the tournament’s first edition outside Saudi Arabia since its launch.
The Elysee Palace said hosting the event highlights France’s growing appeal as a venue for major international sporting competitions, building on the success of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. It added that both countries view sport and culture as important avenues for strengthening their bilateral relationship.
