It is with deep sorrow and grief that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the passing of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who passed away at exactly one o'clock this morning, Friday, 3/4/1436 AH. May Allah grant the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz great mercy and forgiveness and may he rest in his paradise, and our consolation is the adherence of this nation to its strong religion, may Allah reward him for Islam, this nation and all Muslims with the best reward.

The prayer for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz - may God have mercy on him - has been decided after the afternoon prayer this Friday at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. May God have the order before and after.

The Royal Court also issued the following statement:

”Statement from the Royal Court”

<His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received the pledge of allegiance as King of the country in accordance with the Basic Law of Governance. After the completion of the pledge of allegiance, and based on item (II) of Royal Decree No. A/86 dated 26/5/1435 AH, which stipulates that His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud shall be pledged as Crown Prince in the event of a vacancy of the Crown Prince, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - may God protect him - called for the pledge of allegiance to His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz as Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness received it. The pledge of allegiance from citizens to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz - may Allah protect them - will begin at the Palace of Government in Riyadh after the evening prayer this Friday, 3/4/1436 AH, God willing.