Saudi Arabia Has Appointed Its First-Ever Female Ambassador

Fast Company Editorial Director Jill Bernstein (L) and HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud speak onstage during HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud at Skirball Center, NYU on Nov. 3, 2016, in New York City. Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Saudi Arabia appointed its first female ambassador early Feb. 24 to serve as its top diplomat in the United States, pulling a son of King Salman back to the kingdom to serve as deputy defense minister.

Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, a daughter of the kingdom’s longtime ambassador to Washington Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, replaces Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, a son of King Salman and a former fighter pilot.