Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman with Prince Charles.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman met the United Kingdom’s Prince Charles here at his palace on Tuesday and held wide ranging talks on issues of mutual interests.

Accompanied by a huge delegation, Prince Charles who is on a six-day official trip to the Middle East, arrived here on Tuesday.

Prince Charles and his accompanying delegation was received at the King Khalid International Airport by Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, accompanied by Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom and his counterpart in Riyadh Simon Collis.

The traditional red carpet was also laid out from the VIP terminal to the steps of Charles’ chartered plane.

“The two leaders exchanged very cordial talks while reviewing the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries during the significant meeting,” a British Embassy spokesperson said.

According to the official, relations between the British royal family and the Kingdom are close which was reflected during the visit.

Prince Charles expressed his pleasure at visiting the Kingdom, she added.

Earlier, Clarence House said the visit is aimed to strengthen relationships in the region.

“The Prince of Wales’s return to the region demonstrates the importance Her Majesty’s government places on its association with key partners in the area,” a statement from Clarence House said.

It said, “These connections are underpinned by the long-standing and respectful relationships which exist between the Royal Family and the ruling families in the Gulf.”

Prince Charles also met Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier at Al-Yamamah Palace, and pledged to work closely on the whole range of regional and international issues and discussed overall developments at the regional and international level.

They also discussed the prospects of cooperation between the two friendly countries and ways and means of further enhancing bilateral ties finding new areas of cooperation.

Notably, King Salman also hosted a luncheon in honor of the Prince Charles and his accompanying delegation.

The luncheon was attended by Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, adviser to King Salman, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, minister of National Guard, Prince Saud bin Abdullah, chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, deputy minister of petroleum and mineral resources and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, minister of defense, chief of the Royal Court and special adviser King Salman and senior officials.

According to the British Embassy, Prince Charles’ 6-day whistle stop tour starting Feb 7-12, 2015 was initiated with a visit to Jordan followed by the current visit to the Kingdom before visiting the Qatar and the UAE.

Earlier, Prince Charles joined several foreign heads of states and high-ranking officials in offering condolence on the death of the late King Abdullah.

Prince Charles was also a guest participant at the Janadriyah festival last year.

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