'File 11/44 Leading Personalities in Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia' [‎38v] (76/96)

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In the autumn of 1947, the King spent several
weeks at Hofuf in the Hasa oasis, in the hope that
the warm springs there would help to relieve his
arthritis, which had been troubling him more than
usual. The visit of a party of Egyptian doctors to
supervise his “ cure ” gave rise to a wave of
rumours throughout the Middle East that his
Majesty was in failing health, and the Saudi
Arabian Government felt obliged to issue a formal
dementi. He appeared to members of the legation
staff, who visited him at Hofuf, to be in no w r orse
health than usual; however, he decided not to per
form the pilgrimage which, with its elaborate cere
monial and many social obligations, imposes con
siderable strain on the sovereign or his representa
tive.
The King’s eldest son Turki died in 1919, leaving
issue. The following is a list of the King’s immediate
relatives, many of w’hom also have issue. Philby s
Arabia is probably the best English authority on the
Sa’ud family as a whole, but does not claim to be
absolutely accurate.
Sons. All Amirs.
(2) Sa’ud ibn ’Abdul-’Aziz.—Born at Kuwait in
1901 or early 1902 of a lady of Sa’udi stock. Has for
some years been Viceroy of Nejd, and until 1934
seldom visited the Hejaz. Until 1935 he was less
travelled than his half-brother, Amir Feysal, having
only left the country once when he went to consult
an oculist in Egypt shortly after the “ Mahmal ”
incident of 1926" In 1935, however, he visited
Europe and visited several capitals including London
where he stayed about five weeks (he received the
G.B.E. on that occasion), and he represented Sa’udi
Arabia at the Silver Jubilee and at the Coronation of
His Majesty King George VI. In 1940 he visited
India.
Sa’ud’s designation as Heir to the Throne was
formally announced on the 11th May, 1933. He
resembles his father in appearance and physique.
Also suffers from eye trouble, but has inherited Ibn
Sa’ud’s “ magnetic smile.” Said to have had some
schooling from Dr. ’Abdullah Damluji and Sheykh
Hafiz Wahba, but to be in the main untutored. May
in other respects be a chip of the old block, but has
had little opportunity of displaying his quality to
Europeans. Is strongly Islamic, but since his
return from Europe has shown many signs of a
broadened outlook and little, if any, of the fanaticism
which seemed to characterise him earlier. Had com
manded on the Eastern front in the Sa’udi-Yemen
war. He now affects a European style of entertain
ing—even serving afternoon tea to his English
visitors—and prides himself on his skill in the
management of Christian cutlery, to the amusement
of his father, who calls him ‘‘ Sa’ud the Civilised.”
He professes a desire to see Sa’udi Arabia progress
on Western lines (e.g., introduction of air com
munications, modern architecture, &c.). He claims
that he himself designed his country house at Badia
near Riyadh, the amenities of which include a
swimming pool. He owns a cinema projector and
shows British news films. When His Majesty’s
Minister visited Riyadh in February 1942 Sa’ud
broke with Arabian custom by inviting the ladies
of the party to dinner. His eldest son, Fahad, was
born about 1925, and was married to a daughter of
the Amir Faysal, No. 1 (3), in May 1943. Is being
allowed by his father to take an increasing share
in the internal administration of the country and is
present at many of the audiences between His
Majesty’s representatives and the King. Appointed
Commander-in-chief of the Sa’udi army in March
1944. Came to Mecca on pilgrimage in November
1945 and acted as Viceroy during his father’s visit
to Egypt, January 1946. Attended the meeting of
heads of Arab States in Egypt 28th-30th May, 1946,
but as a figure-head only, King Farouq having been
appointed as Ibn Saud’s spokesman. The Amir
Saud has latterly been at pains to indicate that his
father’s policy of friendly relations with His
Majesty’s Government is emphatically his own, also.
In January 1947 flew' to the United States for a
visit as the guest of the United States Government
and of various American firms with Arabian
interests. On the return journey visited the United
Kingdom between 20th February and 1st March, as
the guest of His Majesty’s Government. Unfor
tunately, this visit coincided with a spell of
exceptionally cold weather in England, and keeping
the Amir and his party adequately fed and warmed,
let alone entertained, created a considerable problem
for those who were responsible for their programme.
Performed the pilgrimage in 1947, taking in the
ceremonies the place of his father who, for reasons of
health, apparently, decided at the last moment to
remain in Riyadh.
(3) Faysal ibn ’Abdul-’Aziz.—Yiceroy of the
Hejaz in his father’s absence and permanently
President of the Council of Ministers, Minister for
Foreign Affairs, the Interior, and, in theory, War.
Born of a lady of the family of ’Abdul-Wahhab in or
about 1905. " Educated partly by Sheykh Hafiz
Wahba. Intelligent and has at least had more
opportunity than most of his brothers of cultivating
his intelligence and powers of observation as he has
lived mostly of late years in the comparatively
civilised surroundings of Mecca and has travelled^Jy^'
Europe : in 1919, when he was in England; in 19zoT"
when he visited England, France, Holland and per
haps other countries; and in 1932, when he headed
the Sa’udi mission which visited London and many
other capitals, and often since. In physique a
much feebler version of his father and elder brother
owing to excessive delight in the harem from his
youth upwards. At first very listless and rather
nervous in European company, but could rise to an
occasion, as he showed in 1932 by playing his part
in London, albeit that of a figurehead, with a good
deal of distinction. Believed not to see eye to eye with
his father and joined in the onslaught by Fuad,
Philby and others on Ibn Sa’ud’s principal hench
man, ’Abdullah Suleyman, in October 1931.
Although ’Abdullah Suleyman had the best of this
in the end, the King has continued to treat Faysal
with consideration. Received many decorations
during his tour in 1932, including an honorary G.B.E.
In 1935 showed surprising dash as a horseman in
races held at Riyadh on occasion of Sir Andreev
Ryan’s visit. Reported to have married in October
1935 a daughter of his aunt Nura. Represented
Sa’udi Arabia at the London discussions on Palestine
in 1939, and seems to have played the part well. In
the last two years or so he has acquired much more
self-confidence and tries to fill his role as Foreign
Minister by showing an up-to-date knowledge of
events. He talks freely and intelligently in the com
pany of Europeans whom he knows. He has none of
his father’s picturesqueness of language, but speaks
a very pure Arabic, clearly enunciated, with little
trace of the Nejdi accent which all his brothers
possess. On occasion he is capable of acting with
firmness within the instructions given to him by the
King, as was shown in the expulsion of the Italian
Minister in February 1942. Visited America and
England from September to December 1943 with his
brother, Khalid (No. 1 (5)). The two Amirs, who
were accompanied by the Shaikh Hafiz Wahba
(No. 25), travelled all the way by air. On their return
journey, in December 1943, visited the battlefields in
North Africa. Headed the Sa’udi delegation to the
San Francisco Conference in April 1945 and to the
Preparatory Commission and First Assembly of the
United Nations, November 1945 to January 1946.
Represented his father at celebration on 17th April
in Damascus of withdrawal of foreign troops from
Syria and went on to pay an official visit to the
Lebanon.