William meets female footballers on Saudi Arabia visit

PA MediaPrince William joined a training session in the capital on TuesdayThe Prince of Wales has met young female footballers in Riyadh during his visit to Saudi Arabia.Prince William joined local youth squad players at a training session and heard about female participation in sport in the Gulf state.The prince met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after landing in the country on Monday, where he is spending three days at the UK government's request as it seeks to improve ties with the country's de-facto leader.He gave the crown prince an England football shirt worn by captain Harry Kane, Kensington Palace said, and the pair held a "warm, far-ranging conversation which touched on many elements of [the] UK-Saudi bilateral relationship".The trip is set to focus on energy transition and young people – key areas of development in a country undergoing significant change – and presents diplomatic sensitivities given Saudi Arabia's human rights record.Prince William, who is patron of the English Football Association, visited Misk Sports City in the capital on Tuesday to meet the young players.Women were not allowed to attend sports events in stadiums in the country until 2018, and physical education was not introduced for girls until 2017.The visit comes during a challenging period for the Royal Family following fresh allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in relation to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.A reporter twice asked Prince William from the sidelines of the football pitch in Riyadh: "Sir, to what extent do you think the Royal Family have done enough around the Andrew-Epstein issue?"It is unclear if the prince heard the question from some distance away, and he did not respond. The prince and Catherine, Princess of Wales made their first public statement on the scandal on Monday, saying they were "deeply concerned" by the latest revelations and "focused on the victims".King Charles and Queen Camilla have also been asked about Andrew during recent engagements.ReutersThe prince was greeted on Monday by the region's deputy governor, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz with a welcome gahwa – Arabic coffee flavoured with cardamonEarlier on Tuesday, the prince toured a section of the 84-mile (135km) Sports Boulevard, a network of sports facilities, green space, cycling and walking paths nominated for his environmental Earthshot Prize.The prince spoke to local residents who make use of the urban regeneration project, including Reem Alrowaili and her seven-year-old daughter, Eliana Mufti.Alrowaili, 43, said they had spoken about "women's empowerment": "I lived the old days where we were not allowed to do anything, and now I'm really happy for my daughter because she will experience the good life, the better life."Prince William also met a delegation including the mayor of Riyadh at the boulevard, which is aiming to become the world's largest linear park upon completion.ReutersPrince William and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pictured at the mud-brick city of At-Turaif on Monday ahead of their evening talksThe prince was briefed on MBS's reputation and the country's human rights record – where dissent is punished, women face enormous limitations, and same-sex marriage is criminalised – ahead of the trip.A US intelligence report found the crown prince had approved the murder of exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Saudi Arabia rejected the report, calling it "negative, false and unacceptable", while MBS denied any role in the murder.The regime remains authoritarian and led by an absolute monarchy. But culturally, society has been opening up and the country is trying to develop its economy beyond a reliance on oil.A royal source previously told the BBC that Prince William "didn't flinch" at the request to undertake the trip: "He takes his role as Prince of Wales very seriously, so when the government asks, he goes."King 'ready to support' police as they assess Andrew claims over EpsteinI mocked the Saudi leader on YouTube – then my phone was hacked and I was beaten up in LondonWho is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman?UK Royal FamilyPrince William, Prince of WalesSaudi Arabia