Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Wednesday as deputy crown prince and second deputy premier, becomes second in line to the throne. He will remain defense minister.

At 35, Prince Mohammed is the youngest member of the Cabinet and youngest second deputy premier. The prince, who holds a degree in law from the Riyadh-based King Saud University (KSU), thanked the king for bestowing his confidence in him.

Prince Mohammed has been involved in charitable causes and social initiatives that aim to support youth and their career aspirations in the Kingdom.

In 2011, the prince founded the Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Charity Foundation, popularly known as the MISK Foundation. Prince Mohammed held many positions during his 10-year public career.

Shoura Council President Abdullah Al-Asheikh said that the new royal decrees “prove the long-standing approach adopted by the leadership on the selection of the best and well-qualified men to undertake big responsibilities in the country.”

“Prince Mohammed’s appointment comes as a result of the role which he performed and played successfully in his capacity as defense minister and in different other capacities,” said Saleh A. Abdulrahman, a political analyst.

The prince, who has had experience in running the affairs of state, became special adviser to King Salman in 2009 when the latter was the governor of Riyadh. During that time, Prince Mohammed was also a special adviser to the chairman of the board of the prestigious King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives.

A member of the MISK Foundation described Prince Mohammed’s appointment as “exceptionally significant.” He said that the appointment of such a young prince indicates the Saudi leadership’s keen desire “to empower younger generation of the country with a view to ensuring that the best men of the country get the best jobs.”

He said that the prince has been involved in many philanthropic initiatives that earned him many awards. On April 25, 2014, he was appointed a state minister and member of the Council of Ministers.

Prince Mohammed is a member of the executive committee for the development of Diriyya region. He is also the chairman of the Riyadh Schools, a chain of Saudi schools. He is an honorary member of the National Association for Drug Prevention.

Besides being the head of the executive committee for the Prince Salman Charitable Housing Association which aims to provide housing for low income families, Prince Mohammed is also the head of the financial committee for the Holy Qur’an Association in Riyadh.

The new deputy crown prince is also on the board of trustees of Al-Birr Society in Riyadh and board member of the Bin Baz Foundation.

Forbes Middle East awarded Prince Mohammed, in his capacity as chairman of the Prince Salman Youth Center, “Personality of the Year Prize,” recognizing his efforts to support the youth of the Kingdom and the region at large.

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