Prince Rakan bin Salman became Governor of Diriyah Governorate on February 12, 2026, taking charge of one of the Kingdom’s most historically significant regions. Born in 1999, he built his early career across the Public Investment Fund and the Council of Ministers before stepping into this governorship.
Early life and education
Prince Rakan bin Salman was born in Riyadh on February 14, 1999, the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. He attended schools in Riyadh before earning a bachelor’s degree with honors in law from the College of Law and Political Science at King Saud University in 2020. He also completed a youth leadership certificate at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Career before the governorship
Prince Rakan began his professional path at the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers in 2023. He then joined the Public Investment Fund’s Graduate Development Program from November 2023 to November 2024, followed by a role in the Legal Advisory Department for Middle East and North Africa Investments until February 2026.
He has also held board memberships at the King Salman Non-Profit Foundation, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and Diriyah Company, where he also sits on the executive committee.
Governor of Diriyah
Prince Rakan bin Salman now leads Diriyah Governorate, home to Al-Turaif District and the UNESCO-listed capital of the First Saudi State. His appointment places him at the center of one of Saudi Arabia’s largest heritage and tourism projects, tied to the wider goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Key takeaways
- Prince Rakan bin Salman, born in 1999, was appointed Governor of Diriyah Governorate on February 12, 2026.
- He holds a law degree from King Saud University and a youth leadership certificate from Oxford.
- His career spans the Bureau of Experts, the Public Investment Fund and multiple development authority boards.
His governorship connects directly to Diriyah Governorate‘s heritage and development story, while his 2026 appointment came in the same period as Ali Al-Ahiedb’s move to lead the Board of Grievances.
Background on Saudi Royal Court appointments is available through the Saudi Press Agency.
