CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Mayall J The Saudi Arabian Ambassador called this afternoon at my invitation and I confirmed to him formally that, following upon King Feisal's informal acceptance of Her Majes ty's invitation to visit this country next May, The Queen had now sent a formal invitation. 2. The Ambassador said that he had had some indication of this visit from Jedda. He said he was absolutely delighted, and added that, if everything went well, this would be a wonderful climax for his mission to this country. 3. In the course of some discussion about the Visit, I asked whether it was likely that Queen Iffat would also come. The Ambassador regarded the idea with a certain degree of horror and said that the Saudis "did not think in this way". I explained that we had felt it courteous to include Her Majesty, but of course we would understand if this was not according to Saudi custom. 4. We then discussed the organisation of the Visit, and the Ambassador emphasised very strongly that, as King Feisal is an active, political Head of State, he would attach great importance to serious political conversations with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence. I said I was quite sure that this would also be our idea and that arrangements for these talks should be part of the programme. 75. CONFIDENTIAL
