The Saudi Royal Court is the liaison between the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government and its institutions. It serves as the main executive office for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom. It is currently headed by Fahd Bin Mohammed Bin Saleh al-Issa since August 30, 2019, who is the primary official responsible for it.
History of the Saudi Royal Court
The Royal Court began its operations early in the unification of the Kingdom. As stability was established under the founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and he began laying the foundations of the state, Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Mohammed Bin Muammar was called upon to help establish the administrative structure of the nascent country, starting with the founding of the Royal Court. Bin Muammar became its first president in 1931.
The Royal Court participated in many state organization efforts, including establishing an office called the Office of Ahl al-Jihad to organize the recruitment of fighters, determine their locations, and manage the weapons assigned to them. The office remained under the purview of the Royal Court until it was transferred to the Ministry of Interior on September 18, 1963.
Merger of the Royal Court with the Council of Ministers' office
The Saudi Royal Court has undergone several developments in its duties and functions. On June 26, 2011, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a Royal Order merging the Office of the Council of Ministers Presidency with the Royal Court, considering them a single entity under the name "Royal Court." It also mandated the formation of a committee chaired by the President of the Royal Court to complete necessary procedures and make required adjustments. Additionally, it named Khaled Bin Abdulaziz al-Tuwaijri as the President of the Royal Court and the special secretary to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with the rank of minister.
Continuing the development approach within the Royal Court, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a Royal Order on January 23, 2015, appointing His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz as the Minister of Defense and President of the Royal Court.
Centers and departments affiliated with the Saudi Royal Court
The Saudi Royal Court oversees several specialized centers and departments, including the Decision Support Center, which is organizationally linked to the Royal Court. Its mission is to formulate decisions and public policies and support decision-making in the Kingdom by improving its effectiveness and efficiency across various fields through scientific and practical mechanisms and means. The Royal Affairs Department, a governmental entity, manages the private affairs of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of the Kingdom.
Additionally, the National Security Center is affiliated with the Royal Court, following King Salman Bin Abdulaziz's Directive to the President of the Royal Court on April 22, 2017, to establish this center with organizational ties to the Royal Court and create a position within the Royal Court named "National Security Advisor."
"Tawasul" service from the Saudi Royal Court
On April 29, 2014, the Royal Court dedicated the "Tawasul" service, an electronic portal service through which citizens can directly address the King regarding any shortcomings from any entity and to consider matters that benefit the citizens.
The Royal Court ensured the privacy policy announcement for users of the "Tawasul" service. Information is available only to the Royal Court's specialized employees who need to know that information. Access to this information is restricted to those specialists responsible for providing the Royal Court's services according to the nature of interactions with the site. This information is never shared outside the portal support team except if requested by judicial entities.
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