Royal Watch News

Prince Sultan 'home in six weeks'

May 27, 2009, 11:05 GMT

Saudi Arabia's ailing Crown Prince Sultan will return home within six weeks.

The 84-year-old royal has not set foot in his native country since he flew to New York for treatment for a mystery illness last November.

His condition deteriorated and he had surgery in February before flying to his palace in Morocco for "rest and relaxation".

The prince's extended absence fuelled speculation he was close to death but King Abdullah yesterday announced Sultan would return to Saudi Arabia "within six weeks".

The monarch told Kuwait's Al-Seyassah newspaper: "The crown prince is in good health, thanks to God. The Almighty has cured Sultan after he went for treatment.

"He was, still is and will be our best helper and right hand in taking care of citizens and pilgrims and we look forward to his return in the next six weeks."

It's not the first time Sultan has been ill. He had an intestinal cyst removed in Saudi Arabia in 2005 and visited Geneva in Switzerland in 2008 for what was described as "routine tests".