LONDON: Prince William’s arrival in Riyadh on Monday will be a reaffirmation of the special bond between the monarchies of Britain and Saudi Arabia that was forged in the early days of the reign of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and which has flourished ever since. But for the 43-year-old prince, heir apparent to the British throne, his first official visit to the Kingdom will also be imbued with an element of personal poignancy.

The Prince of Wales has been on many official visits - but few places are as sensitive or controversial as Saudi Arabia.

As Prince William arrives in Riyadh this week, he writes the latest chapter in a remarkable story of friendship between the UK and Saudi Arabia — one that stretches back almost a…