Saudi Arabia appoints first female ambassador to US

Princess Reema bint Bandar, ex-chief of Saudi multi-sports federation, is a graduate in museology from a US university

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has appointed its first woman ambassador to the United States, Deputy King Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a royal decree on Saturday.

Princess Reema bint Bandar replaced Prince Khalid bin Salman, who was named the kingdom's vice defence minister.

Prince Khalid is the younger brother of the crown prince who also serves as the defence minister.



A daughter of a former Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Princess Reema is a graduate in museology from an American university, according to Arab News.

In October 2017, the princess became the first woman to lead a Saudi multi-sports federation, covering sporting activities for men and women.

Prince Khaled graduated from the King Faisal Air Academy in Riyadh and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).



He received his initial pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and advanced training at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi. He also studied advanced electronic warfare in France.

Previously, he was an F-15 pilot and tactical intelligence officer in the RSAF.

Before a back injury ended his flying career, Prince Khaled flew more than 50 combat missions as part of the international coalition campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria and as part of Operations Decisive Storm and Renewal of Hope in Yemen.