Reign
King Khalid's reign began on 25 March 1975 when King Faisal was assassinated and killed. He was proclaimed king after a meeting of five senior members of Al Saud: his uncle Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman and his elder brothers Prince Mohammed, Prince Nasser, Prince Saad and younger brothers Prince Fahd and Prince Abdullah. The meeting occurred just hours after the assassination of King Faisal. King Khalid also became the de facto prime minister of Saudi Arabia.
Although there are various reports, stating that King Khalid was only figurehead during his reign, he was in fact not a figurehead, but the final decision-maker on all major policy issues in his term. Because King Faisal established a system in which the king was the final mediator in family problems.
On the other hand, King Khalid was not an effective leader. However, he seemed to be reluctant to rule the country initially, but he later warmed to the throne and displayed an apparent interest in improving the education, health-care and infrastructure of the country during his seven years reign. King Khalid is also considered to be a genial caretaker during his reign. On the other hand, King Khalid failed to monopolize the power during his reign, leading to the empowerment of the princes who had been in powerful posts in late King Faisal's reign. King Khalid had some personal characteristics that made him a king respected. Although he did not have an active interest in affairs of state and his health was not good, he was admired as an honest man who managed to have good relations with the traditional establishment of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, he was granted support by other princes and powerful forces of the country.
Read more about this topic: Khalid Of Saudi Arabia
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