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Saudi prince 'spends £558,000' on a week's holiday in Turkish resort of Bodrum

The Prince was seen cycling around the town with an escort of 30 bodyguards

Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 23 August 2017 07:15 BST
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Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud spent most of his days on his luxury yacht in Bodrum, Turkey
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud spent most of his days on his luxury yacht in Bodrum, Turkey (iStock)

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A Saudi prince reportedly spent £558,000 on a week-long holiday in the Turkish resort of Bodrum.

Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and his family arrived at the Aegean resort in their private jumbo jet last week, along with 300 pieces of luggage and 30 bicycles.

The prince rented a beachside hotel with a nightly room rate of £36,700, along with a nearby villa and several lodges for his family and staff, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported.

The port city of Bodrum is located on Turkey's eastern coast
The port city of Bodrum is located on Turkey's eastern coast (iStock)

During the week, Prince Al-Waleed was seen cycling around the town with an escort of 30 bodyguards.

However, he spent most of the days on his yacht, named Kingdom 5KR, which was formerly owned by Donald Trump, and the family mostly travelled in six luxury cards.

The prince dined at the Nusr-Et Steakhouse, whose owner Nusret Gokce became famous as "Salt Bae" for his flamboyant way of salting meat. He reportedly left a tip of nearly £4,500.

Another day, he had a family meal at a fish restaurant where he reportedly spent almost £9,000.

Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud (third on the right) arrives at a restaurant at Marina district with the advisor to the Turkish Prime Ministry, Taha Genc (second on the right) In Bodrum, Turkey
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud (third on the right) arrives at a restaurant at Marina district with the advisor to the Turkish Prime Ministry, Taha Genc (second on the right) In Bodrum, Turkey (Ali Balli/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Prince Al-Waleed, the chairman of the investment firm Kingdom Holding Company, is the grandson of King Abdulaziz al-Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia, and nephew of the current king.

He once got into a Twitter spat with Mr Trump during the 2016 presidential election, tweeting: "You are a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America.

"Withdraw from the US presidential race as you will never win."

Mr Trump replied: "Dopey Prince [Al-Waleed] wants to control our US politicians with daddy’s money. Can’t do it when I get elected."

After Mr Trump was elected, Prince Al-Waleed tweeted: "President elect [Donald Trump] whatever the past differences, America has spoken, congratulations & best wishes for your presidency."

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