Princess First-Ever Female to be Saudi Ambassador to Washington

Saudi Arabia announced its first-ever female ambassador to the U.S. on Saturday, with journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder as well as the conflict in Yemen having resulted in strained relations between the two nations.

RELATED:
Khashoggi Fiance Slams EU Human Rights Stance on Saudi Arabia

Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan was appointed the new Saudi envoy to the U.S. Saturday, replacing Prince Khalid bin Salman, who was appointed vice defence minister, AFP reported.

Princess Reema is the daughter of a former long-time ambassador to the United States, and becomes the first-ever woman to hold the post, reported the Middle East Eye.

She lived in Washington between 1983-2005, during the time her father - Prince Bandar, was ambassador, and studied at various U.S. universities, the National website reported.

According to Middle East Eye, Princess Reema delivered a speech at numerous research institutes and think-tanks stating the need to integrate Saudi women fully into the workforce. 

The appointment of Princess Reema as the new envoy "signifies an attempt by Riyadh to try and re-set relations with Washington and draw a line under the Khashoggi affair, however unlikely that may be in practice, at least with Congress", Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States, told AFP.