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Journal of Arabian Studies: Arabia, the Gulf, and the Red Sea

Volume 1, Issue 1, 2011

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Abstract

Saudi Arabia's princesses possess substantial political influence — even though none of them hold important formal positions. Whoever has the king's ear has the potential to have influence, and fewer are closer to a Saudi king than his mother, sister, wife, and daughter. The areas that the female members of the Al Saud actively seek to influence are related to women's education and job opportunities, and women's health and legal rights. Even more important is their role when it comes to keeping the ruling Al Saud family united and, hence, securing its grip on the power. The princesses perform three important roles in the cohesion of the royal family: they play a key role in the socialisation of young royals, which is an essential precondition for cohesion within the royal family; they are responsible for organising gatherings that bring the extended family together; and some intervene to resolve problems and mediate disputes within the royal family.

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Details

  • Published online: 21 Jun 2011

Routledge

Author affiliations

  • a Head of the Asia Branch at the Norwegian Defence Staff , PO Box 193, Alnabru Bedriftssenter, 0614, Oslo, Norway

Author notes

  • Stig Stenslie -

    In Saudi Arabia, I owe special thanks to Fahd al-Semmari at the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Archives and Research, who provided valuable access to the Documents and Manuscripts Centre, research specialists, and other facilities. He also kindly set up several interviews. Prince Abdullah bin Faysal bin Turki generously introduced me to the foundation and helped me with arranging meetings. Abdul Kareem A. al-Zaid and Ibrahim A. al-Yahya at King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh were exceptionally supportive. As a visitor to the kingdom, I was treated very hospitably and politely, and my hosts never tried to intervene in my research and influence my conclusions. I owe thanks also to the librarians at the Arab World Documentation Unit, University of Exeter, and at the National Archives in Washington DC. Amber Khan, Bushra Mumani, Mahwish Nasir, Anita Pratab, and Kjetil Selvik kindly read and commented on my manuscript in all its phases.

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