A reported private visit by members of the Saudi royal family to Madeira has apparently been cancelled following privacy concerns. The delegation, expected to arrive on Thursday and reportedly including Princess Sara bint Mashour Al Saud, wife of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had its plans altered.
According to Diário de Notícias da Madeira, several local service providers were informed on Wednesday that arrangements for the delegation had been cancelled. Sources connected with the preparations reportedly said the visitors were unhappy with the publicity surrounding the trip and considered their privacy compromised.
The Crown Prince’s presence was never officially confirmed by Saudi or regional authorities. The Madeira Regional Command of the Public Security Police stated it had no operation underway to receive the delegation and was unaware of any programme for the visit. Speculation intensified after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, arrived at Madeira International Airport on Tuesday, conducting circuits and bumps to assess airport suitability.
