[image: Princess Reema bint Bandar, ex-chief of Saudi multi-sportsfederation, is a graduate in museology from a US university. PHOTO:AFP/FILE][image: Princess Reema bint Bandar, ex-chief of Saudi multi-sportsfederation, is a graduate in museology from a US university. PHOTO:AFP/FILE][image: Prince Khaled bin Salman (right foreground), the brotherof the crown prince, has been replaced as Saudi envoy to Washington byPrincess Rima bint Bandar. PHOTO: AFP/FILE]
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has appointed its first woman ambassador to the UnitedStates, Deputy King Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a royal decree onSaturday.
Princess Reema bint Bandar replaced Prince Khalid bin Salman, who was namedthe kingdom’s vice defence minister.
Prince Khalid is the younger brother of the crown prince who also serves asthe defence minister.
A daughter of a former Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Bandar binSultan, Princess Reema is a graduate in museology from an Americanuniversity, according to *Arab News*link.
In October 2017, the princess became the first woman to lead a Saudimulti-sports federation, covering sporting activities for men and women.
Prince Khaled graduated from the King Faisal Air Academy in Riyadh and wascommissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
He received his initial pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base in SanAntonio, Texas, and advanced training at Columbus Air Force Base inColumbus, Mississippi. He also studied advanced electronic warfare inFrance.
Previously, he was an F-15 pilot and tactical intelligence officer in theRSAF.
Before a back injury ended his flying career, Prince Khaled flew more than50 combat missions as part of the international coalition campaign againstIslamic State militants in Syria and as part of Operations Decisive Stormand Renewal of Hope in Yemen. – APP/AFP