HRH Princess AlJoharah bint Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud embodies the historic past and the visionary future of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The royal speaks to Vogue Arabia about being grounded in her duty and empowering women along the way.
Bisht, Princess AlJoharah’s late father HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s own. Photo: Oscar Munar
Rising supremely over the ancient civilization of AlUla, a beaming sun reveals its light on the Kingdom’s jewel… a woman whose name literally defines her impression, she reflects and represents a shining Saudi Arabia as it whole-heartedly makes its way to the center of global attention. Her Royal Highness Princess AlJoharah bint Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud carefully picks up her late father’s golden ‘khanjar’ (dagger). Ready to wear as part of its revival into the next generation, the princess knows this particular moment marks a full circle in her ever-expanding journey, where a legacy of love – one that she has worked so hard to live by – is worn with dignity.
Princess AlJoharah’s story is one to remember, and not for the typical perks associated with being a highly coveted royal. “Even as a kid, I was always taught that any royal standing came with a vigorous royal duty, to yourself, to your land, and to your people,” she says. “This reality comes with considerable pressure and great responsibility of course, but how are we to utilize the weight of our blessings without undertaking it?” She says it goes hand in hand. “Now, as an adult, I completely understand how important this lesson is. Nothing is given for free. We must forge and give back with all that we are given, otherwise it just becomes fleeting.”
Cape, dress, veil, Honayda. Photo: Oscar Munar
Forge she did. With a degree in architecture and varying postgraduate certifications in entrepreneurship, investment, and small business operations, the royal formed a team of fellow visionaries, and soon became unstoppable. “None of what I do is possible without a community of like-minded excellence,” she highlights. “Yes, there are challenges, on an almost daily basis, but the glue is in your team. Your people. My working circle are also my dearest friends; aunties and uncles and key sources of inspiration to my son and daughter. My team is my family, because my vision is my life.”
Dress, Stephane Rolland; earrings, Princess AlJoharah’s own. Photo: Oscar Munar
Princess AlJoharah’s business ventures alone are a testament to her innovative spirit. As Chairwoman of the Atlal Almajd Holding Company, she continues her interest in developing new opportunities across industries, particularly female-driven enterprises, creating a ripple effect of economic growth and community development in-line with Saudi’s Vision 2030.
In hospitality, there’s Finding Sushi, one of the Kingdom’s most popular local concept restaurants, fusing the colorful flair of Saudi flavor with a gastronomical experience from one of her other favorite countries, Japan. “What I cherish most about Finding Sushi is the love of community the space has managed to generate; all walks and all ages have a home at our sushi bar, which keeps a neighborly appeal with fantastic attention to culinary detail. I also love our Little Rollers program, which encourages creativity in cooking for children to join, learn, and have fun, as part of the Finding Sushi family.”
Cape, dress, veil, Honayda. Photo: Oscar Munar
In fashion, Princess AlJoharah was one of the Kingdom’s first public figures to staunchly advocate and activate local design; always insisting upon wearing Saudi designers at every public engagement, and launching the e-commerce platform JMH Souk in 2011. “Back then, there were very few people who understood the concept of local cultivation. I wanted to create a platform that sold homemade designs. Not just in fashion, but across the board of what we, as Saudis, can artistically create. I supported and catapulted local designers every chance I got – and still do. With great honor, as we all should.” In education, as well as nurturing young minds through preschool development, Her Royal Highness coordinates closely with her siblings in propelling the works of the Arab Gulf Program for United Nations’ Development (AGFUND), a dedicated initiative to celebrating and rewarding the works of capacity-building programs across the globe.
Bisht, Princess AlJoharah’s late father HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s own; dress, Khawla Alaiban; dagger, HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s own. Photo: Oscar Munar
Philanthropic in nature, the royal beholds a passion for positive change and delves into preservation and conservation, too. She acts as co-founder of the animal welfare foundation Saalima, which she explains works to protect Saudi’s natural beauty and endangered species, inspiring a “new gen consciousness of sincerely considerate entrepreneurs,” who should endeavor to include and respect the environment they reside in.
“The core of it all is to see us thrive, that includes women, it includes our children, our glorious environment, and our animals. Our fashion, our expression, our creativity, and hospitality. We all play vital roles in our representation,” Princess AlJoharah iterates of her all-encompassing empire in-the-making. “If I can make a difference while exercising all of my passions, I will.” The maternal power of women in leadership is often exemplified through fostering a sense of nurture. For it is her hand of legitimate care and all-round compassion that has illuminated paths for women (and men) in business, and in pride, across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Coat, Nabila Nazer; bracelets, Princess AlJoharah’s own. Photo: Oscar Munar
The royal now plans to debut her own line of quintessential accessories for the everyday power woman. The upcoming collection presents meticulously designed handbags that are set to launch a new kind of functionality in fashion, combining technology, practicality, and luxury, all at once. “Each bag is carefully crafted to meet the needs of modern women on-the-go, practically but also beautifully, with ample storage and sustainable materials… there’s a few surprises of ultimate convenience too,” Her Royal Highness explains. “My bag is my best friend, and I think this applies to a lot of us as women. Our bags are our trusted companions everywhere we go. I wanted to elevate that relationship, make it more comfortably luxurious, and integrate technology in a way that benefits that relationship… I really can’t wait to share more of what’s in store, very soon.”
Dress, veil, Khawla Alaiban; necklaces, bracelet, Princess AlJoharah’s own. Photo: Oscar Munar
According to the princess, this is just the beginning. In addition to her myriad of entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors, she is an unmistakable fashion force, exuding an effortless chic as the Kingdom’s pillar of homegrown grace. Knowing that what one wears can be one of the most defining tools for self-expression, Her Royal Highness’s stylistic stance has always encouraged women to embrace their individuality, particularly in Saudi.
“My dad left us no choice but to succeed, and that success was part and parcel of an activated love for the people of Saudi Arabia, and humanity in general…” recalls Princess AlJoharah. “He inspired me and all my brothers and sisters constantly – in so many facets of life. When I was born, he chose to take action on the lack of early child development institutions, particularly among girls. When I gave birth to my daughter, I worked with him to establish more within the early learning space and opened my own kindergarten, Starlight School, following his vision of education for all. But there was just so much… So, so much to his vision. So many layers of philanthropy, social development, and a defiantly independent growth across the whole of Saudi Arabia. He showed me that a vision can be extremely wide, but only with extreme focus.”
Photo: Oscar Munar
Princess AlJoharah’s father, His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the 20th son of Saudi Arabia’s Founding Father, His Majesty King Abdulaziz Al Saud, was a stalwart politician, multi-faceted businessman, and historic philanthropist. He was also the previous and esteemed guardian for what is a potent symbol for resilient victory in Saudi Arabia, his stunning khanjar, now held by his daughter.
Outspoken and unafraid, he was a passionate advocate for women’s rights, education, healthcare, social reform, and cultural preservation, constantly seeking a heightened and independent liberation for his beloved Saudi nation.
Photo: Oscar Munar
He held a number of governmental positions, including being the first Saudi Arabian Ambassador to France, the Minister of Communications and the Minister of Culture & Information, working tirelessly to promote human welfare, cultural confidence, and nation empowerment overall. In addition, the late and great Prince Talal played a founding role in promoting Saudi Arabia’s international relations and diplomatic efforts, earning him the global reputation of a champion in human rights, and an undeniably determined voice of power for prosperity in the region. Nicknamed the ‘Children’s Prince,’ his relationship with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) remains significantly noble. He served as the organization’s first Special Envoy during the 1980s, and continuously harnessed the absolute necessity of protecting impoverished children across the Middle East and Africa.
Today, the HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s legacy is deeply within that of his daughter’s, and the khanjar constitutes a new definition: her own undeterred triumph, in a rapidly progressing land her father once dreamed of.
With a steady hand and equally determined heart, she fastens the khanjar to her waist, turning and fearlessly facing the international lens of what’s to come.
Originally published in the June 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia
Style: Amine Jreissati
Fashion market editor: Mohammad Hazem Rezq
Hair and makeup: Safiyah Cassim
Creative producer: Beya Bou-Harb
Producer on ground: Mustafa Alamasi
Location: Dar Tantora
Special thanks: Experience AlUla
