Crown Prince departs for France on state visit focused on regional issues, strategic partnership

Jeddah to Paris: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embarks on a state visit to France on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the behest of King Salman and in response to an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron. The Royal Court announced the departure of the Crown Prince on the same day.

The Élysée Palace revealed that French President Macron will welcome the Crown Prince on Sunday and Monday, August 23-24, for a state visit expected to focus on Middle Eastern developments and regional issues. The discussions will also aim to bolster the strategic and economic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France.

Key topics for deliberation include crises and challenges in the region, with specific attention to Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. The Crown Prince and Macron are anticipated to cover a broad spectrum of regional and international matters as part of their ongoing coordination, as well as crucial economic and strategic subjects driving their Saudi-French partnership.

Cooperation between Riyadh and Paris encompasses various sectors, such as defense, the economy, energy, and aviation. The two leaders are also set to convene a meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council to advance bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on priority issues.

The French presidency highlighted Macron's visit to Saudi Arabia in December 2024, emphasizing the shared goal of using sport and culture as tools to bring their peoples closer together. This state visit follows Macron's earlier trip to Saudi Arabia, as Riyadh and Paris persist in deepening their political, economic, and strategic partnership.