The Saudi Royal Family
One of the most influential dynasties in the contemporary world, ruling the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1932.
The House of Saud
The House of Saud is the ruling family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Founded by Abdulaziz ibn Saud, who unified the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula and proclaimed the Kingdom in 1932, the dynasty now numbers several thousand princes. Power is organized around the King, the Crown Prince, and a Council of Ministers largely composed of royal family members. Since 2015, King Salman has ruled the Kingdom, aided by his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the architect of Vision 2030.
The Royal Line of Succession
The seven kings who have reigned since the Kingdom was founded in 1932.
Abdulaziz ibn Saud
1932 – 1953
Founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He unified the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula and proclaimed the Kingdom on 23 September 1932.
Saud bin Abdulaziz
1953 – 1964
Second king of the Kingdom, he oversaw the discovery of major oil fields and the country's rapid economic growth.
Faisal bin Abdulaziz
1964 – 1975
A great reformer, he modernised the administration, launched girls' education, and played a central role in the 1973 oil embargo.
Khalid bin Abdulaziz
1975 – 1982
His reign was marked by the Grand Mosque seizure in Mecca in 1979 and strong economic growth driven by oil revenues.
Fahd bin Abdulaziz
1982 – 2005
He adopted the title 'Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' in 1986. His reign saw the Gulf War (1991) and major infrastructure development.
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
2005 – 2015
A moderate reformer, he allowed women to participate in municipal elections and launched ambitious economic and social programmes.
Salman bin Abdulaziz
2015 – present
The current King. He appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince in 2017 and champions Vision 2030.
Current Leaders
The King and Crown Prince at the helm of the Kingdom.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz
King of Saudi Arabia
Born 31 December 1935 in Riyadh
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques · Prime Minister
The 25th son of founder Abdulaziz, Salman has reigned since 23 January 2015. A former governor of Riyadh for 50 years, he is regarded as a consensus monarch who has delegated much executive authority to his son, Crown Prince MBS.
Mohammed bin Salman
Crown Prince — Prime Minister
Born 31 August 1985 in Riyadh
Crown Prince · PM · Architect of Vision 2030
Appointed Crown Prince in June 2017, MBS is the Kingdom's de facto ruler. The architect of Vision 2030, he is driving sweeping economic and social reforms: opening to tourism, women's right to drive, developing non-oil sectors and mega-projects such as NEOM.
Other Key Royal Family Members
Khalid bin Salman
Minister of Defence
Brother of MBS and son of King Salman. A fighter pilot and former ambassador to Washington, he oversees the Kingdom's military apparatus.
Abdulaziz bin Salman
Minister of Energy
Brother of MBS. He represents Saudi Arabia within OPEC+ and steers the Kingdom's energy policy under Vision 2030.
Sultan bin Salman
President of the Saudi Space Authority
Son of King Salman. The first Arab and Muslim astronaut in space (1985), he now heads the Saudi space agency.
Faisal bin Salman
Governor of Madinah
Son of King Salman. He administers the holy city of Madinah, one of the most important cities in the Islamic world.
Turki bin Mohammed
Minister of State, Council of Ministers Member
Plays an important role in coordinating government policies and the Kingdom's diplomatic relations.
Bader bin Mohammed Al Asaker
Director of the Crown Prince's Court
A trusted adviser of MBS, he coordinates philanthropic activities and strategic initiatives of the Crown Prince's office.