For the first time in history, Saudi Arabia has appointed a woman to the position of ambassador to the US.
Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud will now serve as the Saudi envoy to the United States.
She was appointed to the ministerial rank by a royal decree on Saturday.
She will be replacing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans younger brother, Prince Khalid bin Salman, who is now the countrys deputy defense minister.
Who is Princess Reema?
Princess Reema bin Bandar Al Saud is a member of the royal family and the daughter of former Saudi diplomat Bandra bin Sultan, who served as the Saudi ambassador to the US from 1983 to 2005.
Although born in Riyadh, Al Saud spent 22 years living with her father and mother, Haifa bint Faisal, in the US. She has two teenage children.
She studied at Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandra, Virginia, and went on to graduate from George Washington University in Washington D.C. with a degree in museum studies.
This is hardly Al Sauds first accomplishment. The Saudi Gazette reports that Al Saud was previously an adviser to the Crown Prince.
She also served as the first female Vice President for Development and Planning at the Saudi General Sports Authority.
In 2013, she founded Alf Khair, an organisation that provides Saudi women with professional advice. In 2014, she was also named one of Forbes Middle Easts 200 Most Powerful Arab Women.
Al Saud also has a history of participating in philanthropic events and has co-founded the Zahra Breast Cancer Awareness Association.
Saudis attempts to win favour
Critics suggested that the appointment of a woman to such a high-level position by Saudi Arabia, a country notorious for gender inequality, is a form of damage control.
Recently, Saudi Arabia came under fire for its involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggis murder.
A three-member team lead by United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard found that, Mr. Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and premeditated killing, planned and perpetrated by officials of the State of Saudi Arabia.
The royal family has denied involvement in Khashoggis murder. However, a Saudi prosecutor charged 11 people, including Saudi intelligence officers.
Callamard said she had major concerns about the reliability Saudis proceedings against these suspects.
Indo-Saudi relations
While major countries like Germany and France have asked for sanctions against Saudi Arabia, India took a more diplomatic stance because of its tense Indo-Pak relations.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited India for the first time on February 20 and signed a number of alliances and agreements. He also authorised the release of 850 Indian prisoners from Saudi jails and pledged a $100 billion investment in Indian industries.
Although Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share deep diplomatic ties, the Prince promised to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan. He also stressed that dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region.
To win back international favour, Saudi Arabia is amping up its diplomatic efforts, starting with India and Pakistan. The Prince was also scheduled to visit Malaysia and China.
However, the Saudis arent the sole beneficiary of the Princes trip to India.
Sources say that the Modi administration has been lobbying the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for a price cut on oil. Saudi Arabia is a long-standing member of OPEC.
Rhea Arora is a staff writer at Qrius