Col. Abdul Aziz Al-Faghm, who served as King Abdullah’s personal bodyguard for 10 years, seen at the late monarch’s funeral last Friday.

There was an outpouring of sympathy and praise online by Saudis for the personal bodyguard of King Abdullah, who served the late monarch for 10 years.

Col. Abdul Aziz Al-Faghm was seen performing the funeral prayers for King Abdullah in Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque in Riyadh last Friday with his usual stoic expression, but clearly trying to hide his sadness.

Twitter users have created a hash tag to thank him for his service to the king and his country.

Mohammed Al-Abdulqader said on Instagram that Al-Faghm was loyal to the end. “We got so accustomed to seeing him with the king, in his black uniform, but never wondered about his name. He has surely served faithfully.”

“This is one of the most important positions in the country. He must have been a very sad man when the king died. The photograph of him standing alone after the king was buried, was heartbreaking. But this is life, it always comes to an end,” said Al-Abdulqader.

Al-Faghm graduated from King Khaled Military College in 1991 and was then appointed to the Special Brigade before being transferred to the Royal Guard. He also served as liaison officer for the procession of King Abdullah and his guard. Al-Faghm’s father worked for King Abdulaziz for 30 years.

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