Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud

Position: Deputy Crown Prince

Biography: Favoured son of King Salman, Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud was appointed deputy crown prince on 28 April 2015. Prince Mohammed has also been defence minister and head of the Royal Diwan since 23 January 2015.

In the capacity of defence minister he is responsible for the ongoing military campaign in Yemen. Although much criticised internationally, the intervention received high levels of public support in Saudi Arabia and brought media attention to Prince Mohammed.

Over the last decade he has been a close adviser to his father, and now as head of the Royal Diwan controls access to King Salman.

He was a minister of state from 2014 and a cabinet member.

At only 34, he represents a younger generation of the Al-Saud dynasty.