During both his tenure as Crown Prince and his reign as King, His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz received numerous decorations bestowed upon him by kings and heads of state from various countries. He wore these decorations during official ceremonies.
Below are several examples:
Selected Decorations Awarded to Crown Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz
- United Kingdom — Grand Cordon of the Order of the British Empire
- Italy — Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Italy
- The Netherlands — Grand Cordon of the Order of Orange‑Nassau
- Belgium — Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold I
- Emirate of Transjordan — Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence
- France — Grand Officier of the Légion d’Honneur
- United States of America — Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander
President Truman bestows upon the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander, in the United States
Selected Decorations of His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
- Order of the Renaissance — Jordan
- Order of the Umayyads — Syria
- Star and Badge of the Order of Muhammad bin Ali Al‑Sanusi — Libya
- Order of the Cedar — Lebanon
- Star and Badge of the Order of Civil Merit — Spain
- Star of the Order of Saint Mark — Greece
- Order of the Sun — Afghanistan
- Honorary Doctorate — Aligarh Muslim University, India
- Honorary Doctorate — University of Karachi
- Grand Collar of the Nile — awarded by President Mohamed Naguib, 1954
- Order of Solomon — awarded by Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, 1957
- Golden Cross — Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Selected Decorations Displayed at the Khuzam Palace Museum, Jeddah
-
- Jordan — Star of the Order of the Renaissance
- Libya — Star and Badge of the Order of Muhammad bin Ali Al‑Sanusi
- Greece — Star of the Order of Saint Mark
- Spain — Star and Badge of the Order of Civil Merit
- Unidentified — An unfinished breast star, possibly an experimental piece
Order of Al‑Nahda — Jordan
Star and Badge of the Order of Muhammad bin Ali Al‑Sanusi — Libya
Star of the Order of Saint Mark — Greece
Star and Badge of the Order of Civil Merit — Spain
Order of the Sun — Afghanistan
Grand Collar of the Nile
Grand Collar of the Nile
Golden Cross of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Certificate Awarded by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On the occasion of His Majesty King Saud’s receipt of the Golden Cross
13 Dhu al‑Qi‘dah 1376 AH
Honorary Doctorate from Pakistan
University of Karachi
Reference: Al‑Bilad Newspaper (Saudi Arabia), Issue No. 1538, 30 Sha‘ban 1373 AH.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Ali, presented His Majesty King Saud with the Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Karachi during a ceremony held by the university.
The royal procession of King Saud proceeded to the University of Karachi, where the university’s governing body awaited His Majesty beneath a grand pavilion prepared for the visit. His Majesty, accompanied by the Governor‑General, alighted from the car amid chants, applause, and expressions of welcome.
The university’s Chancellor greeted His Majesty, after which the Vice‑President, in the presence of the President (who was also the Governor‑General of Pakistan), presented His Majesty with the traditional academic robe—green silk lined with blue silk—which His Majesty graciously donned.
The procession then advanced toward the main hall, where thousands had gathered. His Majesty was received with cheers and prayers. He took his seat on an elevated platform, with the Governor‑General to his left as the university’s supreme president.
The Governor‑General opened the academic session, during which the university would confer upon His Majesty the honorary doctorate. A recitation from the Holy Qur’an followed.
The Governor‑General, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad, delivered an address in English, praising His Majesty’s contributions to education and scholarship. He highlighted the schools and institutes established by His Majesty throughout Saudi Arabia, his support for students and scholars, his sponsorship of printing beneficial scholarly works, and his efforts in sending students abroad and welcoming Muslim students from around the world to study in the Two Holy Mosques.
He emphasized that the university considered it an honor to inscribe His Majesty’s name among its distinguished affiliates. The hall erupted in applause.
He then presented His Majesty with the doctoral diploma in a silver case, accompanied by the university’s formal citation.
His Majesty responded with a gracious royal address, expressing gratitude to the university’s Chancellor and governing body, and praising Pakistan’s commitment to making the Arabic language compulsory in schools and universities. His Majesty noted that this step would strengthen ties among Arab and Muslim peoples.
He urged Pakistani institutions to expand the study of Islamic law and commended the government for basing its forthcoming constitution on the Qur’an and Sunnah, affirming that the Islamic world had prospered only when these were its foundation.
His Majesty expressed deep emotion at parting from the Pakistani people, whose affection and hospitality he would carry home. Many in attendance—including the Governor‑General—were moved to tears.
His Majesty departed amid the same warmth and celebration with which he had been received, as crowds lined the streets to bid him farewell.
Honorary Doctorate from India
Aligarh Muslim University
During His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s visit to India, Aligarh Muslim University conferred upon him the Honorary Doctorate in Law, which he received from the Minister of Education, Dr. Radhakrishnan, in Aligarh in 1955.
A photograph from the visit shows His Majesty receiving the honorary degree from the Minister of Education during the 1955 royal visit to India.