Longest reigns website updated following the death of Crown Prince Nayef of Saudi Arabia

Crown Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who was appointed as Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on 28 October 2011 following the death of Crown Prince Sultan, died on Saturday 16 June 2012 in Switzerland, 78 or 79 years old.

I have therefore once again had to update my Longest reigns website.

Crown Prince Nayef, who besides his position as first in line of succession, also served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, was laid to rest at the Al-Adl cemetery in Mecca on Sunday 17 June. In attendance were, besides King Abdullah and numerous members of the Saudi Royal House, among others the Emir of Kuwait and the military ruler of Egypt, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.

As most people expected, King Abdullah decided yesterday to appoint his half-brother Prince Salman as his new heir. The 76-year-old prince will continue as defence minister, a post he was appointed to in October 2011, and he has also been appointed deputy prime minister.

Royals and other dignitaries from all over the world has today gathered in Jeddah for the traditional condolence ceremony for the late Crown Prince Nayef. Among the many mourners listed at the Saudi Press Agency's website were Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, former President Samuel Schmid of Switzerland (named "George Samotejl" by the agency), Foreign Minister János Martonyi of Hungary, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul of Thailand, the Emir of Qatar, the Duke of York (Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom), Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah, Sheikh Hamad bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman and Vice President of Guinea, Osman Bah.The presentation of condolences from foreign dignitaries will continue on Wednesday 20 June.

Selected articles and obituaries following the death of Crown Prince Nayef:

• Al Jazeera 16 June 2012: Saudi heir apparent Prince Nayef dead 
• Time.com 16 June 2012: A Death in The Family. Saudi Arabia’s Succession Saga 
• Al Arabyia News 17 June 2012: Saudi King Abdullah leads funeral for Crown Prince Nayef in Mecca 
• CNN.com 17 June 2012: Funeral held for Saudi Crown Prince Nayef 
• Telegraph.co.uk 17 June 2012: News/Obituary: Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al Saud 
• Al Jazeera 18 June 2012: Saudi crown prince laid to rest in Mecca 
• Time.com 18 June 2012: Saudi Arabia’s Heir to the Throne: Meet Crown Prince Salman 
• Al Jazeera 19 June 2012: Prince Salman named Saudi crown prince