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{{Short description|Royal family of Saudi Arabia}}
{{Redirect|Saud}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox family
| name = House of Saud
| native_name = آل سعود
| native_name_lang = 
| other_names = 
| type = [[Royal house]]
| coat_of_arms = File:Royal Standard of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.svg
| coat_of_arms_size = 150px
| alt = 
| coat_of_arms_caption = [[Flag of Saudi Arabia|Royal Standard of the King]]
| image = 
| image_size = 
| alt2 = 
| image_caption = 
| parent_family = Al-Muqrin of house of Al-Muraydi of the Diriyah ({{Start date and age| 1446}}) of [[Banu Hanifa]] of [[Banu Bakr|Banu Bakr bin Wa'il]]
| country = [[Saudi Arabia]] (current)<br>'''Historical:'''
*[[Emirate of Diriyah]]
*[[Emirate of Nejd]]
*[[Emirate of Riyadh]]
*[[Emirate of Nejd and Hasa]]
*[[Sultanate of Nejd]]
*[[Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd]]
| region = <!-- Main current location - please note, countries that are merely associated with titles should be indicated in "titles" -->
| early_forms = 
| etymology = <!-- Etymology; name origin and/or meaning -->
| origin = <!-- Country, region, town, location etc. of origin -->
| founded = {{Start date and age| 1720}}<!--unbroken line doesn't start until 1727-->
| founder = [[Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin|Saud I]] {{small|(died 1725)}}
| current_head = [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman]]
| dissolution = <!-- {{End date| YYYY}}, removal of public status applicable primarly to royal and aristocratic houses -->
| deposition = <!-- {{End date| YYYY}}, removal of authority applicable primarly to royal houses -->
| cadet branches = 
| final_ruler = <!-- I.e. last sovereign; applicable primarily to sovereign aristocratic dynasties -->
| final_head = <!-- I.e. last person with family name or else subject to end of continuous consistency -->
| titles = {{ublist|
* [[King of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]]
* The Great King (1932–1986)
* King of Hejaz and Nejd (1926–1932)
* Sultan of Nejd (1921–1926)
* Emir of Nejd and Hasa (1913–1921)
* Emir of Riyadh (1902–1913)
* Emir and Imam of Nejd (1824–1891)
* Emir and Imam of Diriyah (1744–1818)
* [[Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Prince]] or [[Sheikh]] <br>with surname<br> Al Saud for men
*[[Princess]] or [[Sheikh]]a with the surname <br>Al Saud for women}}
| connected_members = <!-- Notable members in selection, only if relevant in infobox and readability-wise applicable -->
| other_families = <!-- Connected families, typically qualified by marriage (or rarely rivalry) -->
| distinctions = <!-- Primarly associated distinctions such as orders, prizes, awards, etc. -->
| traditions = [[Sunni Islam]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The Saudi "Founding Day" and the Death of Wahhabism|url=https://agsiw.org/the-saudi-founding-day-and-the-death-of-wahhabism/|date=23 February 2022|work=The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington|publisher=AGSIW|access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref>
}}

The '''House of Saud''' ({{langx|ar|آل سُعُود|ʾĀl Suʿūd}} {{IPA|ar|ʔaːl sʊʕuːd|IPA}}) is the ruling [[royal family]] of [[Saudi Arabia]]. It is composed of the descendants of [[Muhammad bin Saud]], founder of the [[Emirate of Diriyah]], known as the [[First Saudi State]], (1727–1818), and his brothers, though the ruling faction of the family is primarily led by the descendants of [[Ibn Saud]], the modern founder of Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|title=The House of Al Saud – A View of the Modern Saudi Dynasty|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/tree/|date=18 September 2015|work=Frontline|publisher=PBS|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205225109/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/tree/|url-status=live}}</ref> It forms a subtribe of the larger prominent ancient [[Banu Hanifa]] tribe of Arabia,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Al-Rasheed |first=Madawi |title=The son king : reform and repression in Saudi Arabia |date=2021 |isbn=978-0-19-755814-0 |location=New York, NY |oclc=1192311816}}</ref> from which well known 7th century Arabian theologist [[Musaylima|Maslama ibn Ḥabīb]] originates.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fattah |first=Hala Mundhir |title=A brief history of Iraq |date=2009 |publisher=Facts On File |others=Frank Caso |isbn=978-0-8160-5767-2 |location=New York |oclc=212023483}}</ref> The most influential position of the royal family is the [[King of Saudi Arabia]], an [[Absolute monarchy|absolute monarch]]. The family in total is estimated to comprise 15,000 members; however, the majority of power, influence and wealth is possessed by a group of about 2,000 of them.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|title=HRH Princess Basma bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012t5nd|work=Hardtalk|access-date=7 April 2013|publisher=BBC|date=28 July 2011|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017161751/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012t5nd|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/the-acton-princess-leading-the-fight-for-saudi-freedom-6284225.html|title=The Acton princess leading the fight for Saudi freedom|author=Milmo Cahal|date=3 January 2012|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=3 January 2012|archive-date=22 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422065624/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/the-acton-princess-leading-the-fight-for-saudi-freedom-6284225.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some estimates of the royal family's wealth measure their net worth at $1.4 trillion.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/saudi-royal-family-s-1-4-trillion-wealth-and-lavish-spending-36040 | title=Saudi royal family's $2 trillion wealth and lavish spending }}</ref> This figure includes the market capitalization of [[Saudi Aramco]], the state oil and gas company, and its vast assets in fossil fuel reserves, making them the wealthiest family in the world and the wealthiest in recorded history.

The House of Saud has had four phases: the [[Sheikhdom of Diriyah]] (1446–1744); the [[Emirate of Diriyah]] (1727–1818), marked by the expansion of [[Salafi movement|Salafism]]; the [[Emirate of Nejd]] (1824–1891), marked with continuous infighting; and the current state (1902–present), which evolved into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 and now wields considerable influence in the [[Middle East]]. The family has had conflicts with the [[Ottoman Empire]], the [[Sharif of Mecca]], the [[Rashidi dynasty|Al Rashid]] family of [[Emirate of Jabal Shammar|Ha'il]] and their vassal houses in [[Najd]] along with numerous [[Islamist]] groups both inside and outside Saudi Arabia and Shia minority in Saudi Arabia.

The [[succession to the Saudi Arabian throne]] was designed to pass from one son of the first king, Ibn Saud, to another. The monarchy was [[hereditary monarchy|hereditary]] by [[agnatic seniority]] until 2006, when a [[royal decree]] provided that future Saudi kings are [[Elective monarchy|to be elected]] by a committee of Saudi princes.<ref>{{Cite news|author1=Dewey Caitlin|author2=Max Fisher|date=22 July 2013|title=Meet the world's other 25 royal families|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/07/22/meet-the-worlds-other-25-royal-families/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704052840/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/07/22/meet-the-worlds-other-25-royal-families/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman]], who reigns currently, first replaced the next crown prince, his brother Muqrin, with his nephew [[Muhammad bin Nayef]]. In 2017, Muhammad bin Nayef was replaced by [[Mohammed bin Salman]], King Salman's son, as the crown prince after an approval by the [[Allegiance Council]] with 31 out of 34 votes. The king-appointed cabinet includes more members of the royal family.

==Title==
[[File:House of Saud rulers.svg|thumb|right|300px|Genealogical table of the leaders of the Āl Saud]]
''House of Saud'' is a translation of ''ʾĀl Saud'', an [[Arabic name|Arabic dynastic name]] formed by adding the word ''[[wiktionary:آل|ʾĀl]]'' (meaning "family of" or "House of", not to be confused with [[wiktionary:ال|''Al'']] meaning "the")<ref>{{cite book|title=A Brief History of Saudi Arabia|author1=James Wynbrandt|author2=Gerges Fawaz A.|year=2010|isbn=978-0816078769|page=xvii|publisher=Infobase |url=https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofsa0000wynb}}</ref> to the personal name of an ancestor. In the case of the Al Saud, the ancestor is [[Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin|Saud bin Muhammad bin Muqrin]], the father of the dynasty's 18th century founder Muhammad bin Saud (Muhammad, son of Saud).<ref>{{cite book|title=The heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|author1=Wahbi Hariri-Rifai|author2=Mokhless Hariri-Rifai|year=1990|isbn=978-0962448300|page=26|publisher=GDG Exhibits Trust }}</ref>

The surname "Al Saud" is carried by any descendant of Muhammad bin Saud or his three brothers Farhan, Thunayyan, and Mishari. Al Saud's other family branches like Saud Al Kabir, the Al Jiluwi, the Al Thunayan, the Al Mishari and the Al Farhan are called [[cadet branches]]. Members of the cadet branches hold high and influential positions in government though they are not in the line of succession to the Saudi throne. Many cadet members intermarry within the Al Saud to re-establish their lineage and continue to wield influence in the government.<ref name="Sheikh to Chic" /><ref name="web.archive.org">{{cite web|url=https://americanbedu.com/2010/03/23/saudi-arabia-hrh-or-hh/|title=Saudi Arabia: HRH or HH? – American Bedu|date=7 August 2016|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807041830/https://americanbedu.com/2010/03/23/saudi-arabia-hrh-or-hh/|archive-date= 7 August 2016}}</ref>

All male members of the royal family have the title of [[Emir]] ([[Prince]]). However, the sons and [[patrilineal]] grandsons of Kings are referred to by the [[Style (manner of address)|style]] "[[His Royal Highness]]" (HRH), differing from patrilineal great-grandsons and members of cadet branches who are called "[[His Highness]]" (HH), while the reigning king uses the additional title of [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]].<ref name="Sheikh to Chic">{{cite news |author=Amos |first=Deborah |author-link=Deborah Amos |date=1991 |title=Sheikh to Chic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H-cDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |access-date=12 July 2016 |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |publisher= |page=28}}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org"/>

==History==
===Origins and early history===
The earliest recorded ancestor of the Al Saud was [[Mani' ibn Rabiah Al-Muraydi]], who settled in [[Diriyah]] in 1446–1447 with his clan, the Mrudah.<ref name="Stenslie2012">{{cite book|author=Stig Stenslie|title=Regime Stability in Saudi Arabia: The Challenge of Succession|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-g81rF4Zga4C&pg=PA53|date=2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1136511578|page=53}}</ref> The Mrudah are believed to be descended from the [[Banu Hanifa]] branch of the larger [[Rabi'ah]] tribal confederation<ref name="Stenslie2012"/>{{clarify|date=July 2021}}. The Banu Hanifa played an important role in shaping the Middle East and Arabia from the 6th century.

Mani' was invited to Diriyah by a relative named Ibn Dir, who was the ruler of a group of villages and estates that make up modern-day [[Riyadh]].<ref>Counter-Narratives: History, Contemporary Society, and Politics in Saudi Arabia and Yemen by Madawi Al-Rasheed and Robert Vitalis (Eds.) p. 64</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.sa/sites/mofaen/EServ/VisitingSaudiArabia/aboutKingDom/Pages/CountryDevelopment36143.aspx|title=History of the Kingdom|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-date=10 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110015534/http://www.mofa.gov.sa/sites/mofaen/EServ/VisitingSaudiArabia/aboutKingDom/Pages/CountryDevelopment36143.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://arabroyalfamily.com/kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/al-saud-family-saudi-arabia-history/|title=Al Saud Family Saudi Arabia History|work=Arab Royal Family|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-date=5 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705231818/http://arabroyalfamily.com/kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/al-saud-family-saudi-arabia-history|url-status=live}}</ref> Mani's clan had been on a sojourn in east Arabia, near [[Al-Qatif]], from an unknown point in time. Ibn Dir handed Mani two estates, called al-Mulaybeed and Ghusayba. Mani and his family settled and renamed the region Al Diriyah after their benefactor Ibn Dir.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|author=G. Rentz|contribution=al- Diriyya (or al-Dariyya)|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia of Islam|editor1=P. Bearman|editor2=Th. Bianquis|editor3=C.E. Bosworth|editor4=E. van Donzel|editor5=W.P. Heinrichs|publisher=Brill|year=2007|url=http://www.brillonline.nl/subscriber/entry?entry=islam_SIM-1876}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=H. St. John Philby|title=Saudi Arabia|publisher=Ernest Benn|location=London|year=1955|page=8|url=https://www.questia.com/read/24971493/saudi-arabia|access-date=29 February 2016|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219163134/https://www.questia.com/read/24971493/saudi-arabia|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Mrudah became rulers of Al Diriyah, which prospered along the banks of [[Wadi Hanifa]] and became an important Najdi settlement. As the clan grew larger, power struggles ensued, with one branch leaving for nearby [[Dhruma]], while another branch (the "Al Watban") left for the town of [[az-Zubayr]] in southern [[Iraq]]. The Al Muqrin became the ruling family among the Mrudah in Diriyah.

The name of the clan comes from Sheikh [[Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin|Saud ibn Muhammad ibn Muqrin]], who died in 1725.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

===Emirate of Diriyah===
{{main|Emirate of Diriyah}}
[[File:The First Saudi State Greatest Extent.png|thumb|The maximum limits reached by the [[first Saudi state]] during the reign of [[Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1748–1814)|Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]] in the years 1810-1814, including vassalized territories]]

The First Saudi State was founded in 1727. This period was marked by conquest of neighboring areas and by religious zeal. At its height, the First Saudi State included most of the territory of modern-day [[Saudi Arabia]], and raids by Al Saud's allies and followers reached into [[Yemen Eyalet|Yemen]], [[Oman proper|Oman]], [[Damascus Eyalet|Syria]], and [[Baghdad Eyalet|Iraq]]. Islamic scholars, particularly [[Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab]] and his descendants, are believed to have played a significant role in Saudi rule during this period. The Saudis and their allies referred to themselves during this period as the ''Muwahhidun'' or ''Ahl al-Tawhid'' ("the monotheists"). Later they were referred to as the [[Wahhabism|Wahhabis]], a particularly strict, puritanical [[Islam]]ic sect, named for its founder.

Leadership of Al Saud during the time of their first state passed from father to son without incident. The first imam, Muhammad bin Saud, was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud|Abdulaziz]] in 1765. In 1802, Abdulaziz's forces led 10,000 Wahhabi soldiers in an attack on the [[Shi'ite]] holy city of [[Karbala]], in what is now southern Iraq and where [[Hussein ibn Ali]], the grandson of [[Muhammad]] is buried.<ref name=mark/> The Wahhabi soldiers killed more than 2,000 people, including women and children.<ref name=mark>{{cite book|author=Mark Weston|title=Prophets and princes: Saudi Arabia from Muhammad to the present|year=2008|publisher=Wiley|location=Hoboken, N.J.|isbn=978-0470182574|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEFsVYLko4C&q=wahhabi+sack+of+karbala+1802&pg=PA101|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117131008/https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEFsVYLko4C&q=wahhabi+sack+of+karbala+1802&pg=PA101|url-status=live}}</ref> They plundered the city, demolishing the massive golden dome above Hussein's tomb and loaded hundreds of camels with weapons, jewelry, coins and other valuable goods.<ref name=mark/>

The attack on Karbala convinced the Ottomans and the Egyptians that the Saudis were a threat to regional peace.<ref>{{cite book|author=Wayne H. Bowen|title=The history of Saudi Arabia|year=2008|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=Westport, Conn.|isbn=978-0313340123|page=73|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S6J2Q3TlJpMC&q=saudi+sacking+of+karbala&pg=PA73|edition=1|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117131009/https://books.google.com/books?id=S6J2Q3TlJpMC&q=saudi+sacking+of+karbala&pg=PA73|url-status=live}}</ref> Abdulaziz was killed in 1803 by an assassin, believed by some to have been a Shi'ite seeking revenge over the sacking of Karbala the year before. Abdul-Aziz was in turn succeeded by his son, [[Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud|Saud]], under whose rule the Saudi state reached its greatest extent. By the time Saud died in 1814, his son and successor [[Abdullah bin Saud Al Saud|Abdullah bin Saud]] had to contend with an Ottoman-Egyptian invasion in the [[Wahhabi war]] seeking to retake lost Ottoman Empire territory. The mainly Egyptian force succeeded in defeating Abdullah's forces, taking over the then-Saudi capital of [[Diriyyah]] in 1818. Abdullah was taken prisoner and was soon beheaded by the Ottomans in Constantinople, putting an end to the First Saudi State. The Egyptians sent many members of the Al Saud clan and other members of the local nobility as prisoners to [[Eyalet of Egypt|Egypt]] and [[Constantinople]], and razed the Saudi capital of Diriyyah.

===Emirate of Nejd===
{{main|Emirate of Nejd}}
[[File:Flag of the Second Saudi State.svg|thumb|Flag of the First and Second Saudi State]]

A few years after the fall of [[Emirate of Diriyah|Diriyah]] in 1818, the Saudis were able to re-establish their authority in Najd, establishing the Emirate of Nejd, commonly known as the Second Saudi State, with its capital in Riyadh.

Compared to the First Saudi State, the second Saudi period was marked by less territorial expansion (it never reconquered the [[Hijaz]] or [['Asir]], for example) and less religious zeal, although the Saudi leaders continued to go by the title of ''[[imam]]'' and still employed [[Salafi]] religious scholars. The second state was also marked by severe internal conflicts within the Saudi family, eventually leading to the dynasty's downfall. In all but one instance, succession occurred by assassination or civil war, the exception being the passage of authority from [[Faisal ibn Turki ibn Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal ibn Turki]] to his son [[Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud|Abdullah ibn Faisal ibn Turki]].

===Present form===
{{Main|Unification of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia}}
{{Politics of Saudi Arabia}}
[[File:Franklin D. Roosevelt with King Ibn Saud aboard USS Quincy (CA-71) on 14 February 1945 (USA-C-545).jpg|thumb|King Abdulaziz and US President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in February 1945]]
[[File:President and First Lady Obama, With Saudi King Salman, Shake Hands With Members of the Saudi Royal Family.jpg|thumb|U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] offers condolences on death of Saudi King Abdullah, [[Riyadh]], 27 January 2015.]]
[[File:Buckingham Palace reception (52873225786).jpg|thumb|Prince [[Turki bin Mohammed Al Saud (born 1979)|Turki bin Mohammed Al Saud]] with Britain's King [[Charles III]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] in London]]
After his defeat at Mulayda, Abdul Rahman bin Faisal went with his family into exile in the deserts of eastern [[Arabia]] among the [[Al Murra]] [[bedouin]]. Soon afterward, however, he found refuge in [[Kuwait]] as a guest of the Kuwaiti [[emir]], [[Mubarak Al Sabah]]. In 1902, Abdul Rahman's son, Abdulaziz, took on the task of restoring Saudi rule in Riyadh. Supported by a few dozen followers and accompanied by some of his brothers and relatives, Abdulaziz was able to capture Riyadh's [[Masmak fort]] and kill the governor appointed there by [[Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Rashid]]. Abdulaziz, reported to have been barely 20 at the time, was immediately proclaimed ruler in Riyadh. As the new leader of the House of Saud, Abdulaziz became commonly known from that time onward as "Ibn Saud" in Western sources, though he is still called "Abdulaziz" in the Arab world.

Ibn Saud spent the next three decades trying to re-establish his family's rule over central Arabia, starting with his native Najd. His chief rivals were the Al Rashid clan in Ha'il, the [[Sharifs of Mecca]] in the [[Hijaz]], and the [[Ottoman Turks]] in [[Al-Ahsa Oasis|al Hasa]]. Abdulaziz also had to contend with the descendants of his late uncle [[Saud ibn Faisal]] (later known as the "Saud Al Kabir" branch of the family), [[pretender]]s to the throne. Though for a time acknowledging the sovereignty of the [[Ottoman Sultans]] and even taking the title of ''[[pasha]]'', Ibn Saud allied himself to the British, in opposition to the Ottoman-backed Al Rashidis. From 1915 to 1927, Abdulaziz's dominions were a [[protectorate]] of the [[British Empire]], pursuant to the 1915 [[Treaty of Darin]].

Ibn Saud won final victory over the Al Rashidis in 1921, making him the ruler of most of central Arabia. He consolidated his dominions as the [[Sultanate of Nejd]]. He then turned his attention to the Hijaz, finally conquering it in 1926, just months before the British protectorate ended. For the next five and a half years, he administered the two parts of his dual realm, the [[Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd]], as separate units.

By 1932, Ibn Saud had disposed of all his main rivals and consolidated his rule over much of the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. He united his dominions into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that year. His father, Abdul Rahman, retained the honorary title of "imam". In 1937, near [[Dammam]], American surveyors discovered what later proved to be Saudi Arabia's vast [[petroleum|oil]] reserves. Before the discovery of oil, many family members were destitute.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Britain and the Rise of Islam and the House of Saud|author=Abdullah Mohammad Sindi|journal=Kana'an Bulletin|volume =IV|issue=361|date=16 January 2004|pages=7–8}}</ref>

Ibn Saud sired dozens of children by his many wives. He had at most four wives at a time, divorcing many times. He made sure to marry into many of the noble clans and tribes within his territory, including the chiefs of the [[Bani Khalid]], [[Ajman (tribe)|Ajman]], and [[Shammar]] tribes, as well as the [[Al ash-Sheikh]] (descendants of [[Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab]]). He also arranged for his sons and relatives to enter into similar marriages. He appointed his eldest surviving son, [[Saud of Saudi Arabia|Saud]] as [[heir apparent]], to be succeeded by the next eldest son, [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|Faisal]]. The Al Saudi family became known as the "royal family", and each member, male and female, was accorded the title ''amir'' ("prince") or ''amira'' ("princess"), respectively.

Ibn Saud died in 1953, after having cemented an alliance with the United States in 1945. He is still celebrated officially as the "Founder", and only his direct descendants may take on the title of "his or her Royal Highness". The date of his recapture of Riyadh in 1902 was chosen to mark Saudi Arabia's centennial in 1999 (according to the Islamic [[lunar calendar]]).

Upon Ibn Saud's death, his son Saud assumed the throne without incident, but his lavish spending led to a power struggle with his brother, Crown Prince Faisal. In 1964, the royal family forced Saud to abdicate in favor of Faisal, aided by an edict from the country's [[grand mufti]]. During this period, some of Ibn Saud's younger sons, led by [[Talal ibn Abdul Aziz]], defected to Egypt, calling themselves the "[[Free Princes]]" and calling for liberalization and reform, but were later induced to return by Faisal. They were fully pardoned but were also barred from any future positions in government.

Faisal was assassinated in 1975 by a nephew, [[Faisal bin Musaid Al Saud|Faisal bin Musaid]], who was promptly executed. Another brother, [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid]], assumed the throne. The next prince in line had actually been [[Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz|Prince Muhammad]], but he had relinquished his claim to the throne in favor of Khalid, his only full brother.

Khalid died of a heart attack in 1982, and was succeeded by [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|Fahd]], the eldest of the powerful "[[Sudairi Seven]]", so-called because they were all sons of Ibn Saud by his wife [[Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi|Hassa Al Sudairi]]. Fahd did away with the previous royal title of "his Majesty" and replaced it with the honorific "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques", in reference to the two Islamic holy sites in [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]], in 1986.

A stroke in 1995 left Fahd largely incapacitated. His half-brother, Crown Prince [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah]], gradually took over most of the king's responsibilities until Fahd's death in August 2005. Abdullah was proclaimed king on the day of Fahd's death and promptly appointed his younger brother, [[Sultan bin Abdulaziz]], the minister of defense and Fahd's "Second Deputy Prime Minister", as the new heir apparent. On 27 March 2009, Abdullah appointed [[Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Prince Nayef]] Interior Minister as his "second deputy prime minister" and Crown Prince on 27 October.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia names Prince Nayef as heir to throne|date=27 October 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15487965|work=BBC|access-date=28 October 2011|archive-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028143533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15487965|url-status=live}}</ref> Sultan died in October 2011 while Nayef died in [[Geneva, Switzerland]] on 15 June 2012. On 23 January 2015, Abdullah died after a prolonged illness, and his half-brother, Crown Prince Salman, was declared the new king.

Many princes and government officials were arrested in 2017 in an alleged [[2017 Saudi Arabian purge|anti corruption campaign]] by the king and crown prince. Then-United States President [[Donald Trump]] expressed support for the arrests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/saudi-princes-ministers-and-tycoons-arrested-in-sweeping-purge|title=Saudi princes, ministers and tycoons arrested in sweeping purge|website=SBS News|access-date=27 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225142241/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/saudi-princes-ministers-and-tycoons-arrested-in-sweeping-purge|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Political power==
[[File:U.S.Defense Secretary Ash Carter places his hand over his heart as the national anthem plays during an honor cordon to welcome Saudi Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to the Pentagon, May 13, 2015 150513-D-NI589-527c.jpg|thumb|Crown Prince and Defence Minister [[Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud|"MbS"]] with U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Ashton Carter]], Pentagon, 13 May 2015]]
[[File:Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Melania Trump, and Donald Trump, May 2017.jpg|thumb|[[US President]] [[Donald Trump]] with the [[First Lady of the United States]] [[Melania Trump]], [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman]], and Egyptian president [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] at the [[2017 Riyadh summit]]]]

The head of the House of Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia who serves as [[Head of State]] and [[monarch]] of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The king holds almost absolute political power. The king appoints ministers to his cabinet who supervise their respective ministries in his name. The key ministries of Defence, the Interior and Foreign Affairs are usually held by members of the Saud family, as are all of the thirteen regional governorships.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.arabnews.com/node/1312121/saudi-arabia|title = King Salman meets governors of Saudi regions|date = 30 May 2018|access-date = 20 February 2022|archive-date = 20 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220220010548/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1312121/saudi-arabia|url-status = live}}</ref> Most portfolios, however, such as Finance, Labour, Information, Planning, Petroleum Affairs and Industry, have traditionally been given to commoners, often with junior Al Saud members serving as their deputies. House of Saud family members also hold many of the kingdom's critical military and governmental departmental posts. Ultimate power in the kingdom has always rested upon the Al Saudis, though support from the [[Ulema]], the merchant community, and the population at large has been key to the maintenance of the royal family's political ''status quo''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Millichronicle|date=2019-12-02|title=OPINION: Why Saudi Citizens love Al-Saud family?|url=https://millichronicle.com/2019/12/opinion-why-saudi-citizens-love-al-saud-family/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=The Milli Chronicle|language=en-US|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905073952/https://millichronicle.com/2019/12/opinion-why-saudi-citizens-love-al-saud-family/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Long-term political and government appointments have resulted in the creation of "power fiefdoms" for senior princes,<ref>{{cite book|title=State, power and politics in the making of the modern Middle East|first=Roger|last=Owen|year=2000|isbn=978-0-415-19674-1|page=56|publisher=Routledge }}</ref> such as those of King Faisal, who was foreign minister almost continuously from 1932 to 1975; King Abdullah, who had been commander of the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard|National Guard]] since 1963 (until 2010, when he appointed his son to replace him);<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11807255 |title=Saudi King Abdullah to go to US for medical treatment |date=21 November 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref> former Crown [[Sultan bin Abdulaziz|Prince Sultan]], minister of defence and aviation from 1962 until his death in 2011; former Crown Prince [[Nayef bin Abdul Aziz|Nayef]] who was the minister of interior from 1975 to his death in 2012; [[Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Prince Saud]] who had been minister of foreign affairs since 1975;<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/Biographies-of-Ministers.aspx |title=Biographies of Ministers |publisher=Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington, DC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616222323/http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/Biographies-of-Ministers.aspx |archive-date=16 June 2011 }}</ref> and [[Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|King Salman]], who was minister of defense and aviation before he was crown prince and governor of the [[Riyadh Province]] from 1962 to 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prince Salman resumes duties at governorate |url=http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article199149.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124194326/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article199149.ece |archive-date=24 November 2010 |newspaper=Arab News |date=23 November 2010}}</ref> The current minister of defense is [[Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud|Prince Mohammad bin Salman]], the son of King Salman and crown prince.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mohammed bin Nayef kingpin in new Saudi Arabia: country experts|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/mohammed-bin-nayef-kingpin-new-saudi-arabia-country-experts-1500997678|access-date=1 February 2015|work=Middle East Eye|date=1 February 2015}}</ref>

Such terms of service have enabled senior princes to mingle their personal wealth with that of their respective domains.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} They have often appointed their own sons to senior positions within their own portfolios. Examples of these include Prince [[Mutaib bin Abdullah]] as assistant commander in the National Guard until 2010; Prince [[Khalid bin Sultan]] as assistant minister of defence until 2013; and Prince Mansour bin Mutaib as assistant minister for municipal and rural affairs until he replaced his father in 2009. In cases where portfolios have notably substantial budgets, appointments of younger, often full, brothers have been necessary, as deputies or vice ministers, ostensibly to share the wealth and the burdens of responsibility, of each fiefdom. Examples of these include [[Abdul-Rahman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud|Prince Abdul Rahman]] who was vice minister of defence and aviation under Prince Sultan; [[Badr bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud|Prince Badr]], deputy to King Abdullah in the National Guard; [[Sattam bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud|Prince Sattam]], who was deputy governor of Riyadh during King Salman's term; and [[Ahmed bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud|Prince Ahmed]], who held the deputy minister's portfolio under Prince Nayef's interior ministry.

Unlike Western [[royal families]], the Saudi monarchy has not had a clearly defined [[Line of succession to the Saudi Arabian Throne|order of succession]]. Historically, upon becoming king, the monarch has designated an [[heir apparent]] to the throne who serves as crown prince of the kingdom. Upon the king's death, the crown prince becomes king, and during the king's incapacitation the crown prince, likewise, assumes power as [[regent]]. Although other members of the Al Saudis hold political positions in the Saudi government, it is only the king and crown prince who legally constitute the political institutions.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The royal family is politically divided by factions based on clan loyalties, personal ambitions and ideological differences.<ref name= Noreng97>{{cite book |title=Crude power: politics and the oil market |first=Oystein |last=Noreng |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-84511-023-9 |page=97}}</ref> The most powerful clan faction is known as the 'Sudairi Seven', comprising the late King Fahd and his full brothers and their descendants.<ref name="Economist Succession">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2010 |title=When kings and princes grow old |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2010/07/15/when-kings-and-princes-grow-old}}</ref> Ideological divisions include issues over the speed and direction of reform,<ref name="Kostiner236">{{cite book |last=Kostiner |first=Joseph |title=Conflict and cooperation in the Persian Gulf region |publisher=VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-531-16205-8 |page=236}}</ref> and whether the role of the ulema should be increased or reduced. There were divisions within the family over who should succeed to the throne after the accession or earlier death of Prince Sultan.<ref name="Economist Succession" /><ref name="David33">{{cite book |last=David |first=Steven R. |title=Catastrophic consequences: civil wars and American interests |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-8018-8989-9 |pages=33–34}}</ref> When Prince Sultan died before ascending to the throne on 21 October 2011, King Abdullah appointed Prince Nayef as crown prince.<ref>{{cite news |last=MacFarquhar |first=Neil |date=22 October 2011 |title=Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz of Saudi Arabia Dies |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/world/middleeast/prince-sultan-bin-abdel-aziz-of-saudi-arabia-dies.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all}}</ref> The following year, Prince Nayef also died before ascending to the throne.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2012 |title=Obituary: Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15500679}}</ref>

==Succession==
{{main|Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne}}
[[File:Jimmy Carter and Cyrus Vance meet with Crown Prince Fahd and King Khalid of Saudi Arabia. - NARA - 177434.tif|thumb|U.S. President [[Jimmy Carter]] meets with King [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid]] and Crown Prince [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|Fahd]] in January 1978.]]

Succession has been from brother to brother since the death of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz was succeeded by his son Saud who was succeeded by his half-brother Faisal. Faisal was succeeded by his brother Khalid who, in turn, was succeeded by his half-brother Fahd. Fahd was succeeded by his half-brother Abdullah, and Abdullah by his half-brother Salman, the current King. Salman appointed his half-brother [[Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Muqrin]] as Crown Prince in January 2015 and removed him in April 2015. Even Abdulaziz's youngest son was to turn 70 in 2015. Abdulaziz, in 1920, had said that the further succession would be from brother to brother, not from father to son.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
[[File:President Trump's Trip Abroad (34784285005).jpg|thumb|Crown Prince [[Muhammad bin Nayef]], Deputy Crown Prince [[Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud|Mohammad bin Salman]], [[Jared Kushner]], [[Ivanka Trump]], [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman bin Abdulaziz]], and [[Melania Trump]], Riyadh, 20 May 2017]]
King Salman ended the brother-to-brother succession and appointed his 56-year-old nephew Muhammad bin Nayef as crown prince in April 2015, thus making the next succession from uncle to nephew. At the same time, King Salman appointed his son, Mohammad bin Salman, as deputy crown prince, thus making the next succession from cousin to cousin, as Muhammad bin Salman is the cousin of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef. However, in June 2017, Salman elevated Mohammad bin Salman to crown prince, following his decision to strip Muhammad bin Nayef of all positions, making his son heir apparent to the throne, and making the next succession from father to son, for the first time since 1953, when [[Saud of Saudi Arabia|Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]] succeeded his father, the founder of Saudi Arabia, [[Ibn Saud]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/21/middleeast/saudi-arabia-crown-prince/index.html|title=Saudi Arabia's king replaces nephew with son as heir to throne|author1=Nicole Chavez|author2=Tamara Qiblawi|author3=James Griffiths|publisher=CNN|date=21 June 2017|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-date=9 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309102820/https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/21/middleeast/saudi-arabia-crown-prince/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|author1=Sudarsan Raghavan|author2=Kareem Fahim|title=Saudi king names son as new crown prince, upending the royal succession line|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/saudi-king-names-son-as-new-crown-prince-upending-the-kingdoms-succession-line/2017/06/21/e66db88d-fecc-40fe-a902-7f9afa487de9_story.html|access-date=21 June 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=21 June 2017|archive-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621083513/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/saudi-king-names-son-as-new-crown-prince-upending-the-kingdoms-succession-line/2017/06/21/e66db88d-fecc-40fe-a902-7f9afa487de9_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Amid international outcry over the [[killing of Jamal Khashoggi]], members of the Saudi royal family were allegedly distressed over the prospect of the crown prince becoming the next king. It was reported that dozens of princes and members of the Al Saud family were interested in seeing Prince Ahmed become the next king instead. During his London tour, Prince Ahmed criticized the Saudi leadership. He was also one of the three members of the ruling family to oppose Mohammad bin Salman becoming the crown prince in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/19/after-khashoggi-murder-some-saudi-royals-turn-against-kings-favorite-son.html|title=After Khashoggi murder, some Saudi royals turn against crown prince|date=19 November 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120020912/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/19/after-khashoggi-murder-some-saudi-royals-turn-against-kings-favorite-son.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Wealth==
[[File:Kingdom 5KR.jpg|thumb|[[Luxury yacht]] ''[[Kingdom 5KR]]'' owned by Saudi royal family, docked in [[Antibes]], [[French Riviera]]]]
In June 2015, ''[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]'' listed businessman Prince [[Al-Waleed bin Talal]], a grandson of Abdulaziz, the first king of Saudi Arabia, as the 34th-richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$22.6 billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=The World's Billionaires|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/prince-alwaleed-bin-talal-alsaud/|work=Forbes|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629165651/http://www.forbes.com/profile/prince-alwaleed-bin-talal-alsaud/|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2020, the combined [[net worth]] of the entire royal family has been estimated at around US$100 billion, which makes them the richest royal family among all monarchs, as well as one of the wealthiest families in the world. Some estimates of the Royal Family's wealth put the figure as high as $1.4 trillion, which includes holdings in [[Saudi Aramco]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 10 Richest Royal Families In The World Ranked By Their Net Worth 2022 |url=https://thefamilynation.com/richest-royal-families-in-the-world-ranked-by-their-net-worth |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=thefamilynation.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Opposition and controversy==
{{See also|Human rights in Saudi Arabia|Censorship in Saudi Arabia}}
[[File:Eastern Province Uprising 1979 5.jpg|thumb|Demonstrators in [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|Eastern Province]] during the [[1979 Qatif Uprising]]]]
[[File:Jamal Khashoggi in March 2018 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Journalist [[Jamal Khashoggi]], murdered at Saud embassy in Turkey because of his opposition to the government]]
[[File:Loujain Alhathloul.jpg|thumb|[[Loujain al-Hathloul]], a Saudi citizen who was jailed after she drove a car in the country using her [[UAE]] license]]

Due to its [[authoritarian]] and quasi-[[theocratic]] rule, the House of Saud has attracted much criticism during its rule of [[Saudi Arabia]]. There have been numerous incidents, including the Wahhabi [[Ikhwan]] militia uprising during the reign of Ibn Saud. [[Osama bin Laden|Osama Bin Laden]], a critic of the US, was also a critic of Saudi Arabia and was [[denaturalization|denaturalized]] in the mid 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/05/02/135905649/bin-laden-from-millionaires-son-to-most-wanted|title=From Millionaire's Son To Most-Wanted|website=NPR.org|access-date=8 November 2017|archive-date=8 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108085724/https://www.npr.org/2011/05/02/135905649/bin-laden-from-millionaires-son-to-most-wanted|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 November 1979, the [[Grand Mosque seizure]] saw the [[al-Masjid al-Haram]] in [[Mecca]] violently seized by a group of 500 heavily armed and provisioned Saudi dissidents led by [[Juhayman al-Otaybi]] and Abdullah al-Qahtani,<ref>{{cite journal|author=J.A. Kechichican|title=Islamic Revivalism and Change in Saudi Arabia: Juhayman al-'Utaybi's 'Letters to the Saudi People'|journal=The Muslim World|volume=50|year=1990|pages=1–16|doi=10.1111/j.1478-1913.1990.tb03478.x}}</ref> consisting mostly of members of the former Ikhwan militia of [[Otaibah]]<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Middle East Review of International Affairs|volume=1|number=2|url=http://www.gloria-center.org/1997/07/kostiner-1997-07-08/|title=State, Islam and Opposition in Saudi Arabia: The Post Desert-Storm Phase|author=Joseph Kostiner|date=8 July 1997|access-date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621021139/http://www.gloria-center.org/1997/07/kostiner-1997-07-08/|archive-date=21 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> but also of other peninsular Arabs and a few Egyptians enrolled in Islamic studies at the [[Islamic University of Madinah]]. The Saudi royal family turned to the Ulema, who duly issued a ''[[fatwa]]'' permitting the storming of the holy sanctuary by Saudi forces, aided by [[France|French]] special ops units.<ref>{{cite interview|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14623518|publisher=NPR (National Public Radio)|title=Did 'Siege of Mecca' Give Birth to Al-Qaida? <!-- Bot generated title -->|date=22 September 2007|author=Yaroslav Trofimov|interviewer=Jacki Lyden|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107221637/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14623518|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[Lawrence Wright]], the [[GIGN]] commandos did first convert to Islam prior to the raid.<ref>{{cite book|author=Wright Lawrence|title=The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11|date=2006|publisher=Alfred A. Knopf (US)|isbn=978-0141029351|page=110|edition=1st|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1fCBAAAQBAJ&q=gign&pg=PP1|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> Most of those responsible, including Al-Otaybi himself, were soon [[decapitation|beheaded]] publicly in four cities of Saudi Arabia.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

In January 2016, Saudi Arabia [[2016 Saudi Arabia mass execution|executed]] the prominent Shiite cleric [[Sheikh Nimr]], who had called for pro-democracy demonstrations, along with forty-seven other Saudi Shia citizens sentenced by the [[Specialized Criminal Court]] on terrorism charges.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi execution of Shia cleric sparks outrage in Middle East|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east|work=The Guardian|date=2 January 2016|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108162024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since May 2017, in response to protests against the government,{{disputed inline|date=August 2017}} the predominantly Shia town of [[Al-Awamiyah]] has been put under full siege by the Saudi military. Residents are not allowed to enter or leave, and the Saudi military indiscriminately shells the neighborhoods with [[airstrike]]s, [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.abna24.com/news/a-h-b-world-assembly/abwas-satement-on-condemnation-of-al-sauds-crimes-in-awamiyah_845264.html|title=ABWA's satement &#91;sic&#93; on condemnation of Al Saud's crimes in Awamiyah|last=ABNA24|date=31 July 2017|access-date=6 August 2017|archive-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806221803/http://en.abna24.com/news/a-h-b-world-assembly/abwas-satement-on-condemnation-of-al-sauds-crimes-in-awamiyah_845264.html|url-status=live}}</ref> fire along with [[sniper]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/snipers-injure-scores-civilians-saudi-arabias-qatif/|title=Snipers Injure Scores of Civilians in Saudi Arabia's Qatif|date=14 June 2017|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801114207/http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/snipers-injure-scores-civilians-saudi-arabias-qatif/|url-status=live}}</ref> shooting residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parstoday.com/en/news/middle_east-i52840-saudi_shia_muslim_town_under_%27siege%27_for_sixth_day|title=Saudi Shia-Muslim town under 'siege' for sixth day|date=15 May 2017|access-date=6 September 2018|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907110242/http://parstoday.com/en/news/middle_east-i52840-saudi_shia_muslim_town_under_%27siege%27_for_sixth_day|url-status=live}}</ref> Dozens of Shia civilians were killed, including a three-year-old.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/awamiyah-saudi-arabia-boy-killed-sniper-gun-shot-wounds-family-shot-at-open-fire-qatif-shia-nimr-al-a7886136.html|title=Three-year-old dies from wounds after Saudi security forces 'open fire on family'|website=[[Independent.co.uk]]|date=10 August 2017|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810184935/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/awamiyah-saudi-arabia-boy-killed-sniper-gun-shot-wounds-family-shot-at-open-fire-qatif-shia-nimr-al-a7886136.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Saudi government claims it is fighting terrorists in al-Awamiyah.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman kept his own mother away from his father for more than two years, fearing that she would stop the king from giving eventual power to him. Princess [[Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain]], third wife of King Salman, was said to be in America for medical treatment. However, according to American intelligence, this was refuted, stating that she was not in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/15/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-has-hidden-away-mother/|title=Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 'has hidden away his own mother'|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=15 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315200029/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/15/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-has-hidden-away-mother/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some Royals have been criticised for various human rights violations, including the [[assassination of Jamal Khashoggi]], treatment of workers,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190613-sister-saudi-crown-prince-faces-paris-trial-over-attack-workman|title=Sister of Saudi crown prince faces Paris trial over attack on workman|date=13 June 2019|website=France 24|access-date=21 June 2019|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621073824/https://www.france24.com/en/20190613-sister-saudi-crown-prince-faces-paris-trial-over-attack-workman|url-status=live}}</ref> the Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain and the [[Saudi Arabian-Yemeni border conflict (2015-present)|Yemen war]].<ref name=umoh>{{cite web|author=Ruth Umoh|date=18 August 2018|title=This royal family's wealth could be more than $0.4 trillion|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/18/this-royal-familys-wealth-could-be-more-than-1-trillion.html|access-date=23 May 2021|website=CNBC|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523124205/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/18/this-royal-familys-wealth-could-be-more-than-1-trillion.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Reuters]] news agency reported on 23 June 2020  that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had allegedly threatened and intimidated a former intelligence officer, Saad al-Jabri, along with his family of adult children, from returning to Saudi Arabia from exile in [[Canada]]. Al-Jabri was a long-time aide to the former crown prince, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who was ousted in 2017. Al-Jabri allegedly has access to documents containing information sensitive and pivotal for the crown prince's leadership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-arrests-insight/saudi-leadership-pressures-former-intelligence-officials-family-seeks-access-to-documents-idUSKBN23U1BU|title=Saudi leadership pressures former intelligence official's family, seeks access to documents|access-date=23 June 2020|website=Reuters|date=23 June 2020|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623153507/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-arrests-insight/saudi-leadership-pressures-former-intelligence-officials-family-seeks-access-to-documents-idUSKBN23U1BU|url-status=live}}</ref>

A group of intellectuals from Saudi Arabia, exiled in the US, the UK, and elsewhere, launched a political party in opposition to the royal family ruling the kingdom. The launch of the party was announced in September 2020 and was launched on the 2nd death anniversary of [[Jamal Khashoggi]]. The [[National Assembly Party]] (NAAS – people in Arabic) was launched with the aim of gathering the support of people, both inside and outside Saudi Arabia, against the ruling royals King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Madawi al-Rasheed, a scholar, is also the co-founder of NAAS. Other members of the party include scholar Abdullah al-Aoudh, comedian and vlogger [[Omar Abdulaziz (vlogger)|Omar Abdulaziz]], and activist [[Yahya Assiri]]. The party's launch took place online from London as the [[Basic Law of Saudi Arabia]] prohibits the formation of political parties. Forming a political party is considered [[sedition]], punishable with lengthy jail terms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/02/saudi-expats-launch-opposition-party-on-anniversary-of-jamal-kashoggis-death|title=Saudi expats launch opposition party on anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's death|access-date=2 October 2020|website=The Guardian|date=2 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002141227/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/02/saudi-expats-launch-opposition-party-on-anniversary-of-jamal-kashoggis-death|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some members of the royal family have ill-treated their employees, even while  visiting other countries. For example, Princess Buni Al Saud, a niece of King Fahd, pushed the staff down the stairs. Another princess attacked her worker with the help of a bodyguard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123950&page=1|title=Maid Accuses Saudi Princess of Abuse|website=ABC News|access-date=27 February 2021|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930061254/https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123950&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> A Saudi prince and his children abused their maids when they were in France.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20210706-french-prosecutors-investigate-claims-that-saudi-prince-held-maids-in-slavery |title=French prosecutors investigate claims that Saudi prince held maids in 'slavery' |publisher=Rfi.fr |date=6 July 2021 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305001349/https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20210706-french-prosecutors-investigate-claims-that-saudi-prince-held-maids-in-slavery |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Heads==
===Emirate of Diriyah===
<section begin=Table />
{{Succession table monarch

| name1       = '''[[Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin|Saud I]]'''
| nickname1   =
| native1     = {{lang|ar|سعود الأول}}
| life1       = 1640 <br />–<br /> 1725
| reignstart1 = 1720
| reignend1   = 1725<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes1      = Was the eponymous ancestor of the House of Saud <br /> Son of [[Emir]] Muhammad bin Muqrin
| family1     = Muqrin
| image1      =
| alt1        = Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin
}}<section end=Table />

===First Saudi state===
<section begin=Table />
{{Succession table monarch

| name1       = '''[[Muhammad bin Saud Al Muqrin|Muhammad I]]'''
| nickname1   =
| native1     = {{lang|ar|محمد الأول}}
| life1       = 1687 <br />–<br /> 1765
| reignstart1 = 1744
| reignend1   = 1765<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes1      = Reign established by conquest <br /> Son of [[Saud I|Emir Saud I]]
| family1     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image1      = 
| alt1        = Muhammad bin Saud Al Muqrin

| name2       = '''[[Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud|Abdul-Aziz I]]'''
| nickname2   =
| native2     = {{lang|ar|عبد العزيز الأول}}
| life2       = 1720 <br />–<br />1803
| reignstart2 = 1765
| reignend2   = 12 November 1803<br />(assassinated)
| notes2      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Muhammad bin Saud|Muhammad I]] and Mody bint Sultan Al Kathiri
| family2     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image2      =
| alt2        = Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud

| name3       = '''[[Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1748–1814)|Saud II]]'''
| nickname3   =
| native3     = {{lang|ar|سعود الثاني}}
| life3       = 1748 <br />–<br />1814
| reignstart3 = 1803
| reignend3   = April 1814<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes3      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad|Abdul-Aziz I]] and Al-Jawhara bint Othman Al Muammar
| family3     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image3      =
| alt3        = Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud

| name4       = '''[[Abdullah bin Saud Al Saud|Abdullah I]]'''
| nickname4   =
| native4     = {{lang|ar|عبد الله الأول}}
| life4       = 1785 <br />–<br />1818
| reignstart4 = 1814
| reignend4   = Died May 1819<br />(Execution by the Ottoman Empire)
| notes4      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud|Saud II]] <br /> The last rulers of the first Saudi state
| family4     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image4      = Abdullah I of Saudi Arabia (Black Background).jpg
| alt4        = Abdullah bin Saud
}}<section end=Table />

===Second Saudi state===
<section begin=Table />
{{Succession table monarch

| name1       = 1 '''[[Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud (1755–1834)|Turki]]'''
| nickname1   =
| native1     = {{lang|ar|تركي}}
| life1       = 1755 <br />–<br /> 1834
| reignstart1 = 1824
| reignend1   = 1834<br />(assassinated)
| notes1      = Founder of the second Saudi state <br /> Son of Prince [[Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Saud]]
| family1     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image1      =
| alt1        = Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad

| name2       = 2 '''[[Mishari bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud|Mishari]]'''
| nickname2   =
| native2     = {{lang|ar|مشاري}}
| life2       = 1786 <br />–<br /> 1834
| reignstart2 = 1824 (40 day rule)
| reignend2   = 1834<br />(executed)
| notes2      = Son of Prince Abdul Rahman bin Hassan bin Mishari Al Saud
| family2     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image2      =
| alt2        = Mishari bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud

| name3       = 3 and 6 '''[[Faisal bin Turki Al Saud (1785–1865)|Faisal I]]'''
| nickname3   =
| native3     = {{lang|ar|فيصل الاول}}
| life3       = 1785 <br />–<br /> 1865
| reignstart3 = 1834–1838 (first time) <br /> 1843–1865 (second time)
| reignend3   = 1865<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes3      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad|Turki]] and Haya bint Hamad bin Ali Al-Anqari Al-Tamimi
| family3     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image3      =
| alt3        = Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud

| name4       = 4 '''[[Khalid bin Saud Al Saud (1811–1865)|Khalid I]]'''
| nickname4   =
| native4     = {{lang|ar|خالد الاول}}
| life4       = 1811 <br />–<br /> 1865
| reignstart4 = 1838
| reignend4   = 1841<br />(dismissal)
| notes4      = Distant cousin Son of [[Imam]] [[Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud|Saud II]]
| family4     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image4      =
| alt4        = Khalid bin Saud Al Saud (died 1861)

| name5       = 5 '''[[Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud|Abdullah II]]'''
| nickname5   =
| native5     = {{lang|ar|عبد الله الثاني}}
| life5       = ? <br />–<br /> July 1843
| reignstart5 = 1841
| reignend5   = 1843<br />(dismissal)
| notes5      = Distant cousin Son of Prince Thunayan bin Ibrahim bin Thunayan bin Saud
| family5     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image5      =
| alt5        = Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud

| name6       = 7 and 9 and 12 '''[[Abdullah bin Faisal Al Saud (1831–1889)|Abdullah III]]'''
| nickname6   =
| native6     = {{lang|ar|عبد الله الثالث}}
| life6       = 1831 <br />–<br /> 2 December 1889
| reignstart6 = 1865–1871 (first time) <br /> 1871–1873 (second time) <br /> 1876–1889 (third time)
| reignend6   = 1889<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes6      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal I]] and Haya bint Hamad bin Ali Al-Anqari Al-Tamimi
| family6     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image6      =
| alt6        = Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud

| name7       = 8 and 10 '''[[Saud bin Faisal Al Saud (1833–1875)|Saud III]]'''
| nickname7   =
| native7     = {{lang|ar|سعود الثالث}}
| life7       = 1833 <br />–<br /> 1875
| reignstart7 = 1871 (first time) <br /> 1873–1875 (second time)
| reignend7   = 1889<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes7      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal I]] and Dashisha bint Didan bin Mandeel Al-Omari Al-Khalidi
| family7     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image7      =
| alt7        = Saud bin Faisal bin Turki

| name8       = 11 and 13 '''[[Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al Saud (1850–1928)|Abdul-Rahman]]'''
| nickname8   =
| native8     = {{lang|ar|عبد الرحمن}}
| life8       = 1850 <br />–<br /> 1925
| reignstart8 = 1875–1876 (first time) <br /> 1889–1891 (second time)
| reignend8   = 1891<br />(His rule is over)
| notes8      = Son of [[Imam]] [[Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal I]] and Sarah bint Mashari bin Abdulrahman Al Saud <br /> The last rulers of the second Saudi state
| family8     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image8      = Abdul Rahman of Saudi Arabia.jpg
| alt8        = Saud bin Faisal bin Turki

}}<section end=Table />

===[[Third Saudi State|Third Saudi state]]===
<section begin=Table />
{{Succession table monarch

| name1       = '''[[Ibn Saud|Abdul-Aziz II]]'''
| nickname1   =
| native1     = {{lang|ar|عبد العزيز الثاني}}
| life1       = {{Birth date|1875|1|15|df=y}} –<br />{{Death date and age|1953|11|9|1875|1|15|df=y}}
| reignstart1 = 13 January 1902 (aged 27)
| reignend1   = 9 November 1953<br />(death by natural causes)
| notes1      = Reign established by conquest <br /> Son of [[Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al Saud (1850–1928)|Imam Abdul Rahman]] and [[Sara bint Ahmed Al Sudairi]]
| family1     = [[Saud I|Saud]]
| image1      = Abdulaziz II of Saudi Arabia portrait.jpg
| alt1        = Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia

| name2       = '''[[Saud of Saudi Arabia|Saud IV]]'''
| nickname2   =
| native2     = {{lang|ar|سعود الرابع}}
| life2       = {{Birth date|1902|1|12|df=y}} –<br />{{Death date and age|1969|2|23|1902|1|12|df=y}}
| reignstart2 = 9 November 1953 (aged 51)
| reignend2   = 2 November 1964<br />(abdicated)
| notes2      = Son of [[Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] and [[Wadha bint Muhammad Al Orair]]
| family2     = Saud
| image2      = Saud IV of Saudi Arabia portrait2.jpg
| alt2        = Saud of Saudi Arabia

| name3       = '''[[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|Faisal II]]'''
| nickname3   =
| native3     = {{lang|ar|فيصل الثاني}}
| life3       = {{Birth date|1906|4|14|df=y}} –<br />{{Death date and age|1975|3|25|1906|4|14|df=y}}
| reignstart3 = 2 November 1964 (aged 58)
| reignend3   = 25 March 1975<br />(assassinated)
| notes3      = Son of [[Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] and [[Tarfa bint Abdullah Al Sheikh]]
| family3     = Saud
| image3      = Faisal II of Saudi Arabia portrait 2.jpg
| alt3        = Faisal of Saudi Arabia

| name4       = '''[[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid II]]'''
| nickname4   =
| native4     = {{lang|ar|خالد الثاني}}
| life4       = {{Birth date|1913|2|13|df=y}} –<br />{{Death date and age|1982|6|13|1913|2|13|df=y}}
| reignstart4 = 25 March 1975 (aged 62)
| reignend4   = 13 June 1982 (death by natural causes)
| notes4      = Son of [[Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] and [[Al Jawhara bint Musaed Al Jiluwi|Al Jawhara bint Musaed bin Jiluwi Al Saud]]
| family4     = Saud
| image4      = Khalid II of Saudi Arabia portrait.jpg
| alt4        = Khalid of Saudi Arabia

| name5       = '''[[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|Fahd]]'''
| nickname5   =
| native5     = {{lang|ar|فهد}}
| life5       = 16 March 1921 – 1 August 2005 (aged 84)
| reignstart5 = 13 June 1982 (aged 61)
| reignend5   = 1 August 2005 (death by natural causes)
| notes5      = Son of [[Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] and [[Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi]]
| family5     = Saud
| image5      = Fahd of Saudi Arabia Portrait.jpg
| alt5        = Fahd of Saudi Arabia

| name6       = '''[[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah IV]]'''
| nickname6   =
| native6     = {{lang|ar|عبد الله الرابع}}
| life6       = {{Birth date|1924|8|1|df=y}} –<br />{{Death date and age|2015|1|23|1924|8|1|df=y}}
| reignstart6 = 1 August 2005 (aged 81)
| reignend6   = 23 January 2015 (death by natural causes)
| notes6      = Son of [[Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] and [[Fahda bint Asi Al Shuraim]]
| family6     = Saud
| image6      = King Abdullah bin Abdul al-Saud January 2007.jpg
| alt6        = Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

| name7       = '''[[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman]]'''
| nickname7   =
| native7     = {{lang|ar|سلمان}}
| life7       = {{Birth date and age|1935|12|31|df=y}}
| reignstart7 = 23 January 2015 (aged 79)
| reignend7   = Incumbent
| notes7      = Son of [[Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] and [[Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi]] The last rulers of the third Saudi state
| family7     = Saud
| image7      =  Salman of Saudi Arabia - 2020 (49563590728) (cropped).jpg
| alt7        = Salman of Saudi Arabia
}}<section end=Table />

==Most notable current members==
{{Main|Descendants of Ibn Saud}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2009}}
{{Anchor|Sons of King Abdul-Aziz}}
===Sons of King Abdulaziz===
The list of King Abdulaziz's surviving sons, except for current Saudi monarch Salman, are as follows:

# [[Abdul Elah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Abdul llah bin Abdulaziz]] (born 1939){{spaced ndash}} Former governor of [[Al Jawf Province]]. He was special advisor to [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] from 2008 to 2015.
# [[Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Ahmed bin Abdulaziz]] (born 1942){{spaced ndash}} Deputy minister of interior from 1975 to 2012; minister of interior from June 2012 to 5 November 2012.
# [[Mashhur bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Mashhur bin Abdulaziz]] (born 1942)
# [[Muqrin bin Abdulaziz]] Al Saud (born 1945){{spaced ndash}} Director general of the [[Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah|General Intelligence Directorate]] from 2005 to 2012; former governor of [[Ha'il]] and [[Madinah]] provinces. He was appointed second deputy prime minister on 1 February 2013 and he was made crown prince on 23 January 2015 when his half-brother Salman became king. On 28 April 2015 Muqrin was granted resignation based on his request to start the next generation of the royals.

==Genealogy==
{{Family tree of Saudi monarchs}}

==Timeline==
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:50 right:130 left:20
AlignBars = late

DateFormat = yyyy
Period     = from:1720 till:2025
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:10 start:1720

Colors     =
  id:Imam   value:green legend: Imam

Legend     = columns:4 left:150 top:24 columnwidth:100

TextData =
  pos:(20,27) textcolor:black fontsize:M
  text:"Title:"

BarData =
  barset:PM

PlotData=
  align:left fontsize:S shift:(3,-4) anchor:from width:15
  barset:PM

 from: 1720 till: 1725 color:Imam text:"[[Saud ibn Muhammad ibn Muqrin|Saud I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1744 till: 1765 color:Imam text:"[[Muhammad bin Saud|Muhammad I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1765 till: 1803 color:Imam text:"[[Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad|Abdulaziz I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1803 till: 1814 color:Imam text:"[[Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud|Saud II]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1814 till: 1818 color:Imam text:"[[Abdullah bin Saud|Abdullah I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1823 till: 1834 color:Imam text:"[[Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad|Turki]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1834 till: 1834 color:Imam text:"[[Mishari]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1834 till: 1838 color:Imam text:"[[Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1838 till: 1841 color:Imam text:"[[Khalid bin Saud Al Saud (died 1865)|Khalid I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1841 till: 1843 color:Imam text:"[[Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud|Abdullah II]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1843 till: 1865 color:Imam text:"[[Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal I]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1865 till: 1871 color:Imam text:"[[Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud|Abdullah III]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1871 till: 1871 color:Imam text:"[[Saud bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud|Saud III]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1871 till: 1873 color:Imam text:"[[Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud|Abdullah III]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1873 till: 1875 color:Imam text:"[[Saud bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud|Saud III]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1875 till: 1876 color:Imam text:"[[Abdul Rahman bin Faisal|AbdulRahman]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1876 till: 1889 color:Imam text:"[[Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud|Abdullah II]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1889 till: 1891 color:Imam text:"[[Abdul Rahman bin Faisal|AbdulRahman]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1902 till: 1953 color:Imam text:"[[Ibn Saud|Abdulaziz II]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1953 till: 1964 color:Imam text:"[[Saud of Saudi Arabia|Saud IV]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1964 till: 1975 color:Imam text:"[[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|Faisal II]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1975 till: 1982 color:Imam text:"[[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid II]]" fontsize:10
 from: 1982 till: 2005 color:Imam text:"[[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|Fahd]]" fontsize:10
 from: 2005 till: 2015 color:Imam text:"[[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah IV]]" fontsize:10
 from: 2015 till: end color:Imam text:"[[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman]]" fontsize:10

</timeline>

==Royal Standard==
{{See also|Flag of Saudi Arabia}}
[[File:Royal Standard of Saudi Arabia.svg|thumb|220px|Royal Flag of the King {{FIAV|sinister}}]]
* The Royal Flag consists of a green flag, with an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] inscription and a sword featured in white, and with the [[Emblem of Saudi Arabia|national emblem]] embroidered in gold in the lower right canton.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Standard (Saudi Arabia)|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/sa_royal.html|access-date=2020-07-28|website=crwflags.com|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028090531/https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/sa_royal.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The script on the flag is written in the [[Thuluth|Thuluth script]]. It is the ''[[shahada]]'' or Islamic declaration of faith:
: {{lang|ar|لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله}}
: ''{{Transliteration|ar|DIN|lā ʾilāha ʾillā-allāh, muhammadun rasūlu-allāh}}''
:''There is no other god but [[Allah]], Muhammad is the messenger of God.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/facts_and_figures/ |title=About Saudi Arabia: Facts and figures |publisher=The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington D.C |access-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417231457/http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/facts_and_figures/ |archive-date=17 April 2012 }}</ref>
* The Royal Standard consists of a green flag, in the center of the national emblem embroidered with gold.

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Royalty|Saudi Arabia}}
{{colbegin|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Al ash-Sheikh]]
* [[Bani Hareth]]
* [[Bani Yas]]
* [[Banu Thaqif]]
* [[Banu Yam]]
* [[Bedouin]]
* ''[[Death of a Princess]]''
* [[King of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Saudi Royal Guard Regiment]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Madawi Al-Rasheed, ''A History of Saudi Arabia'', Cambridge University Press, 2002, {{ISBN|0521644127}}
* David Fromkin, ''A Peace to End All Peace'', Holt, 1989, {{ISBN|978-0805088090}}.
* David Holden and Richard Johns, ''The House of Saud'', Pan, 1982, {{ISBN|0-330-26834-1}} (reprint of the Sidgwick and Jackson edition, 1981, {{ISBN|0283984368}})
* Robert Lacey, ''Inside the Kingdom'', Hutchinson, 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-09193-124-7}}
* Robert Lacey, ''The Kingdom'', Hutchinson, 1981, {{ISBN|978-0-09145-790-7}}
* Craig Unger, ''House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties'', Scribner, 2004, {{ISBN|074325337X}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{citation|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/cron/|title=A Chronology: The House of Saud|series=Frontline|publisher=PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)|date=1 August 2005}}
* {{citation|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/tree/|title=The House of Saud: A View of the Modern Saudi Dynasty| series=Frontline|publisher=PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)|date=1 August 2005}}

{{Muslim dynasties in Arabian Peninsula}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saud}}
[[Category:Arab dynasties]]
[[Category:Wahhabi dynasties]]
[[Category:House of Saud| ]]
[[Category:Kings of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Rabi`ah]]