Why is Prince William in Saudi Arabia?

Prince William's visit to Saudi Arabia is a diplomatic effort to strengthen relations between the two kingdoms at the request of the British government. The trip aims to leverage royal soft power to support negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is a key member. For Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the visit is an opportunity to showcase his Vision 2030 plan and rehabilitate his international image. This diplomatic engagement occurs despite ongoing criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record, including a record number of executions.