Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ‘high temperature,’ will undergo tests

In this photo released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, speaks to his father, King Salman, right, at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 9, 2018. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)
In this photo released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, speaks to his father, King Salman, right, at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 9, 2018. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman is suffering from “high temperature” and joint pain and will undergo his second round of medical tests in less than a month, state media reports.

The tests will take place at a clinic at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Royal Court says in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

King Salman “suffers from a high temperature and pain in the joints,” the statement says. “The treating medical team decided to conduct some tests to diagnose the health condition and to ensure his health.”

King Salman, 88, has been on the throne since 2015, though his son, Mohammed bin Salman, 38, was named crown prince in 2017 and acts as day-to-day ruler.

The monarch’s health is rarely discussed, but the Royal Court disclosed in April that he had been admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital for “routine examinations.” He left the hospital later that day.

Prior to that, his most recent hospitalization had been in May 2022, when he went in for a colonoscopy and stayed for just over a week for other tests and “some time to rest,” SPA reported at the time.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, has for years sought to quell speculation over King Salman’s health.

Most Popular