At 7 p.m. on the 29th of Jumada al‑Thani, the royal motorcade arrived at Washington Airport.
The King’s aircraft—President Eisenhower’s personal plane—landed at noon. As soon as it touched down, a 21‑gun salute thundered across the airfield in honor of the distinguished guest.
When His Majesty descended from the aircraft, President Eisenhower stepped forward, shook his hand, and said: “We welcome you to the United States.”
Behind the King came one of his aides carrying Prince Mishhoor, six years old, who suffered from polio. Upon seeing the young prince, the President approached him and shook his hand warmly.
A military band then played the national anthems of Saudi Arabia and the United States. His Majesty reviewed the honor guard, composed of units from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
President Eisenhower and King Saud then ascended a special platform and delivered official statements broadcast to the thousands gathered at the airport to welcome the royal visitor.
President Eisenhower’s Welcome Address
“Your Majesty, on behalf of the American people, I welcome you warmly to the United States.
We have long regarded you as a great leader of the Arab people and guardian of cities held sacred by Islam.
We are honored by your visit.
We were fortunate to consider your late father, His Majesty King Abdulaziz, a friend of the United States, and we are no less fortunate to consider you a friend as well.
We look forward with great hope to discussing with you the issues of concern to both our nations.
We value your friendship, and these talks will undoubtedly strengthen and reaffirm our friendship with your country.”
King Saud’s Reply
“I am very pleased to express to Your Excellency and to the American people my deep gratitude for this warm welcome.
I am truly happy to accept Your Excellency’s invitation to renew and strengthen the traditional friendship between our two peoples, on the foundations laid by my late father.
On behalf of my people, I affirm our desire to establish relations with the American people based on goodwill and mutual interest.
I look forward to the opportunity this visit provides for frank discussions with Your Excellency and your government.
We pray to Almighty God to grant us wisdom and right judgment, and to guide our steps toward world peace and good will.”
President Eisenhower—who, for the first time in his presidency, personally went to the airport to receive a visiting head of state—told reporters an hour earlier that he regretted any breach of protocol that might have occurred during the official visit.
His remarks were a clear reference to the failure of New York’s mayor, Robert Wagner, known for his Zionist sympathies, to receive King Saud upon his arrival in the city the previous day.
After the reception, King Saud, his interpreter, and President Eisenhower entered a car together and drove through Washington’s flag‑lined streets toward the White House.
President Eisenhower stood at attention as the military salute was rendered to King Saud, who had arrived aboard the President’s personal aircraft, the Columbine.
The President said he hoped this visit would strengthen and reaffirm the valuable friendship between the two nations and allow for discussions on matters of mutual concern.
He then took King Saud by the arm and escorted him to where foreign ambassadors and senior American officials—including Secretary of State John Foster Dulles—were waiting to greet him.