Saudi Royal Guard Regiment

Saudi Arabian Royal Guard
الحرس الملكي السعودي
Active3 November 1803 (221 years
ago by Imam Saud al Kabeer)[1]
Country Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
AllegianceKing of Saudi Arabia
Branch
TypeRoyal Guard
RoleCeremonial guard, light infantry
Part of
  • Royal Guard Presidency
  • Royal Guard Emirate (1953–1964)
  • Ministry of Defense (1933–1953)
Garrison/HQRiyadh
Commanders
Current
commander		 General Suheil al-Mutiri
Members of the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment with President Trump and King Salman in May 2017.

The Saudi Arabian Royal Guard (Arabic: الحرس الملكي السعودي Al-Ḥars al-Malakī as-Suʿūdī) is a unit in the Saudi military forces. Originally an independent military force, the Royal Guards were incorporated into the Armed Forces since its inception until 1953. It is not to be confused with the SANG. However, the Royal Guards still retained their unique mission of protecting the Saudi ruling family. Units of the Royal Guard protect the King of Saudi Arabia and other relatives at all times.[2]

The Royal Guards report directly to the king and for security reasons maintain a separate communications network from the regular army.

Members of the Royal Guard Regiment often wear the flowing white thaub (robe) and white kaffiyah and qhutrah (traditional Arab headgear of skullcap and scarf). Royal Guardsmen wear bright green berets when in conventional uniform.

The Royal Guard Regiment consists of three light infantry battalions,[3] based near Riyadh. The commander of the Royal Guard is General Suheil al-Mutiri.

  1. ^ Khatab, Sayed (2011). Understanding Islamic Fundamentalism: The Theological and Ideological Basis of Al-Qa'ida's Political Tactics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9789774164996. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Royal Saudi Land Forces". Global Security.
  3. ^ IISS 2022, p. 366.