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To remove such a powerful Crown Prince could prove to be extremely disturbing, and few princes would wish the post with Mohammed bin Salman, irritated, plotting against his replacement. But a Western diplomat with long experience in the kingdom suggested that the king checks the young prince by reducing his power, perhaps redistributing control of the security services to other respected princes.
"The brand has been irreparably tarnished. At home, they really have to do something to master Mr.B.S. said the diplomat, referring to the Crown Prince by his initials. "They need to do something for the corral."
Prince Khalid, who went to Ankara to see the Turks, could be one of the few to be able to invite the king to make such a change. Son of the late King Faisal and now governor of the province of Mecca, Prince Khalid, aged 78, is esteemed in the family, measured and intelligent. The fact that the king sent him on such a delicate mission indicates that he already has the confidence of the monarch. His half-brother, Prince Turki al-Faisal, was a long-time friend and protector of Mr. Khashoggi for decades when he worked in the Saudi establishment before becoming a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed.
Some enemies of the crown prince have hoped that the king's prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, brother of the king, would contest the throne. Prince Ahmed, 73, is the youngest of seven sons of the late King Abdulaziz, all of whom have the same mother, Hussa bint Ahmed al-Sudairi. The seven Sudairi, as they were called, formed a powerful block within the family and passed the throne from brother to brother – a scheme that could have extended to Prince Ahmed if King Salman had not redirected the estate to his own son.
Prince Mohammed's critics were electrified last month when Prince Ahmed addressed protesters on the street in London chanting the royal family over the war in Yemen.
"What does this have to do with Al Saud?" Said Prince Ahmed in video-captured commentary. "The leaders are the king and his crown prince."
Asked about the war in Yemen, he replied, "I hope the situation will end, whether in Yemen or elsewhere, today before tomorrow."
On the Internet, the crown prince 's critics swore allegiance to Prince Ahmed, but his turn as the leader of the opposition did not last long. He quickly issued a statement claiming that his comment had been misinterpreted. He remains in London, fearing to return home.
