JEDDAH/PARIS — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman departed for France on Friday on a state visit at the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and in response to an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.The Royal Court said in a statement that the Crown Prince left the Kingdom on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, heading to France.The Élysée Palace earlier announced that Macron will receive the Crown Prince on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 23-24, for a state visit expected to focus on developments in the Middle East and other regional issues, alongside efforts to strengthen the strategic and economic partnership between Riyadh and Paris.According to the Élysée, the talks will include an exchange of views on major crises and challenges facing the region, particularly developments related to Iran, Yemen and Lebanon.The Crown Prince and Macron are also expected to discuss a range of regional and international issues as part of continuing coordination between the two countries, as well as major economic and strategic matters underpinning the Saudi-French partnership.Cooperation between Riyadh and Paris spans several sectors, including defense, the economy, energy and aviation. The two leaders are also expected to convene a meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council aimed at advancing bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation on priority issues.According to the Élysée, the Crown Prince's agenda in France will begin Sunday with his attendance at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, which the French presidency described as reflecting the two countries' shared ambition to use sport and culture as tools for bringing their peoples closer together.The state visit follows Macron's visit to Saudi Arabia in December 2024 and comes amid continued efforts by Riyadh and Paris to deepen their political, economic and strategic partnership.