Early Experience
At age 14, Khalid bin Abdulaziz was sent by King Abdulaziz as his representative to the desert tribes to hear their concerns and problems. In 1932, Prince Khalid was named as viceroy of the Hejaz, replacing Prince Faisal who was named as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Prince Khalid's term as viceroy of Hejaz lasted until 1934. Prince Khalid participated in a war against Yemen led by his older brother Prince Faisal in 1934. After the war, Prince Khalid served as the chairman of the Saudi delegation at the Taif Conference with Yemen in 1934. This was a diplomatic move that led to the Taif Treaty later that year.
Then he became interior minister in 1934 and Saudi representative at the peace negotiations. In 1939, he participated in the St. James Conference on Palestine in London as an assistant to the Prince Faisal, head of the Saudi delegation. Prince Khalid's preparation for ruling a modern state started through his visits with Prince Faisal on foreign missions, representing Saudi Arabia at the United Nations. Prince Khalid served as advisor of King Faisal. Prince Khalid became an international figure as a result of his visits and service as Saudi representative. He was more liberal in terms of informing the press of the rationale behind foreign policy decisions.
In September 1943, Prince Faisal and Prince Khalid were invited to the US, and then Vice President Harry Truman organized a dinner for them at the White House. They stayed at the official government guest house, Blair House, during their visit. They visited the West Coast by a special train that was officially provided by the US government. A foreign diplomat described Prince Khalid during this period as "probably nicest man in Saudi Arabia." In 1962, Prince Khalid was appointed deputy prime minister, indicating his prominence in the line of succession.
During the rivalry between King Saud and Prince Faisal, Prince Khalid supported the latter together with other princes who were members of Al Jiluwi branch of Al Saud through maternal lineage or marriage. The group was led by Prince Mohammed, Prince Khalid and Prince Abdullah who married to a woman from Al Jiluwi clan.
Read more about this topic: Khalid Of Saudi Arabia
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