RIYADH: Britain’s Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, was in Saudi Arabia on Monday to reinforce longstanding ties between the kingdoms, the British embassy said.

The visit came at the request of the British government and would focus on “cooperation and partnership in a number of fields,” including provision of healthcare, vocational education and entrepreneurship, the embassy official said.

Prince Andrew also visited the Saudi stock exchange, the Arab world’s biggest bourse, the embassy said.

He “exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest” with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Press Agency said, without elaborating.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is fifth in line to the British throne.

He saw active service as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands war between Britain and Argentina in 1982, and later commanded a warship.

Andrew’s visit follows that of his brother Prince Charles, who in February made his second trip to the kingdom in a year.

Published in Dawn, November 18th , 2014