A heart beat away from the throne.
Charles of Arabia: Prince stars in the Saudi dance of the swords
- Prince Charles took part a ceremony celebrating culture in Saudi Arabia
- Heir to the throne joined members of Saudi royal family in a sword dance
- Prince wore a flowing outfit known as a ‘thobe’, traditionally worn by men from the Arab Gulf states
- Charles is on a tour of the Middle East visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar
By REBECCA ENGLISH
PUBLISHED: 02:00 GMT, 19 February 2014 | UPDATED: 10:46 GMT, 19 February 2014
Despite the sword in his hand and the traditional robes, it wasn’t quite Lawrence of Arabia.
Still, Prince Charles did his best to enter into the spirit of things during a ceremony celebrating cultural life in Saudi Arabia last night.
The heir to the throne joined members of the Saudi royal family in an Ardah – sword dance – in a stadium in capital Riyadh.
Looking daggers: Charles, in flowing traditional robes, tries to get into the spirit of things

Prince Charles dances with sword during the traditional Saudi dancing best known as ‘Arda’
NOTE: Diana West reminds us:
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But don’t forget GWB dancing sword dance w Saudi dictator. (Retrospectvly grateful he kept his suit on) //t.co/g6V0WnVbAQ via @youtube
He is a “Sayyid” a descendent of Mohammed;
//www.juancole.com/2008/02/burkes-peerage-queen-elizabeth-ii.html
Apologies for linking to that site (Juan Cole) but Burkes Peerage verifies this.
Are belts full of ammunition draped across the chest also ancient Saudi tradition? I don’t think that sword is the correct caliber either.