HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) received at his office in Riyadh, outgoing British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia HE Sir Tom Philips, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia who was accompanied by Mr. Roderick Drummond, Deputy Head of Mission. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Nahla Alanbar Private Executive Assistant to HRH the Chairman and Ms. Intisar Al-Yamani, Executive Manager Corporate Communications Department.
The meeting began as the Ambassador said that the purpose of his visit was to bid farewell to the Prince as he has come to the end of his term as British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. HRH and Ambassador Philips discussed the importance of the long established Saudi-British relations and the efforts made by both countries to maintain it. The two also discussed a number of general local, regional issues and the current global economic climate. Ambassador Philips also thanked the Prince for receiving many British delegations during their visits to Saudi Arabia. In conclusion the meeting, the Prince wished the Ambassador all the best on his future endeavors.
Earlier this year, Prince Alwaleed received The Rt Hon. Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton at his office in Riyadh and an accompanying delegation. The two also discussed a number of general local, regional issues and the current global economic climate. Furthermore, during the discussions the Prince referred to Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation that he chairs referring to the various donations made by the Foundation to university centers to promote cultural dialogue and build a bridge between East-West for tolerance, and understanding stressing the importance of this initiative.
Prince Alwaleed has a long established relationship with the UK through his investments via KHC and through Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation.
In December 2011, HH Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, Vice Chairwoman of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, attended the Turquoise Mountain Fundraising Dinner on behalf of Alwaleed Foundation. The event was held at Clarence House and hosted by HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. During the event, the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Afghanistan, displayed handcrafted objects created by trainees at the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture. Moreover, Princess Ameerah announced a donation of £1 million, through the Alwaleed Foundation, to Turquoise Mountain towards an endowment that will sustain Turquoise Mountain Foundation over 15 years. In recognition to this and previous support, a building will be named after "HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud". The institute sits in the heart of the Old City. It is made up of buildings with nearly 200 years of history, and which represents the history and culture of Afghanistan.
On April 29th 2011, Prince Alwaleed and Princess Ameerah attended the Royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton by invitation from Her Majesty the Queen.
In 2011, Princess Ameerah and HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh who is Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, formally opened the HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge. During the opening ceremony the Chancellor Prince Philip presented Her Highness with an 800th Anniversary Medal for Outstanding Philanthropy that she accepted on behalf of Prince Alwaleed.
In 2010, HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Alwaleed Princess Ameerah inaugurated The Savoy hotel one of KHC's major investments in the United Kingdom. In June 2010, Prince Alwaleed and Princess Ameerah, were received by Prince Charles, at Clarence House during their visit to the UK.
In 2010, Prince Alwaleed was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor honoris causa from the University of Edinburgh in a ceremony at the Signet Library, Parliament Square, and also inaugurated the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam at Edinburgh University. The degree was conferred by HRH Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh is Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge.
In 2008, HRH made a £16 million endowment to create two new research centres for Islamic studies at the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh (£8 million for each university). The new centers carry out both research and public engagement designed to enhance understanding between the Muslim world and the West. In 2002, the Prince made a £1 million endowment to the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter.
Prince Alwaleed's investments through KHC in the United Kingdom include Canary Warf in the real estate sector and Citigroup in the financial sector. In addition, other investments include a 47.5% interest in the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts co-owned by the billionaire Bill Gates, which manages 3 hotels; London at Park Lane, London at Canary Wharf and the third in Hampshire.
His Highness had received the Duke of York in 2007 and 2009. Moreover, Prince Alwaleed had received the Prince of Wales at Kingdom Resort in Riyadh in 2006 and the Prince visited Highgrove in 2005. Prince Alwaleed also met with Prince Charles in 2003 during the GCC Polo Cup event at The Guards Polo Club in Windsor when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth presented Prince Charles's team with the trophy, jointly with Prince Alwaleed.
© Press Release 2012
