HRH PRINCESS REEMA BINT BANDAR AL SAUD

The Beverly Hilton

Beverly Hills, CA

April 28, 2015

Photo credit: HRH Princess Reema

Once upon a time, in a fantasy world called Beverly Hills, I attended a phenomenal conference at a legendary hotel. As we ate lunch in a grand ballroom, various inspirational women gave consecutive presentations. Today's subject was women’s empowerment.

While the last speaker was wrapping things up, my eyes caught a glimpse of a sparkling trail. I’m not sure if it was real or set in my imagination by fate, but this mystical path led me to the most famous person in my vicinity, a Saudi Arabian princess: Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud.

Until this point in my life, my only experience with royalty was with the princesses walking around Disneyland, but here I was just steps away from a true member of the ruling class.

She was surprisingly approachable so I said hello. An hour earlier, she'd eloquently spoken about saving girls from being exploited and oppressed around the globe. I complimented her on her warm, impactful speech and wondered if it was spoken from her heart or if it was something she’d memorized. “It was all from my heart,” she confirmed. Of course, it was! She’s a princess.

Loving energy was radiating from her and my inner five-year-old was quickly smitten. A few moments with Her Royal Highness was all it took to knock me off my game. It wasn't my original intent, but I asked to get a picture with her. I guess I’m a sucker for a kind heart. She said, "We can take a picture together as long as it doesn't go on social media." Silly, but I passed it up. I said, "Okay. What I really want is...well, I have this celebrity photo album, and will you just take a picture of me?" She smiled and graciously said, “Of course I will.” (Of course she will!)

I offered her my camera but her hands were already full. Among other things, she was holding her royal headscarf. I figured she’d set everything down or hand it to her friend, but no, she did exactly what a fascinated little girl would hope from an enchanting princess. Instead of placing it all on a nearby table, Princess Reema delicately draped her silk scarf on my head and over my shoulder.

She spent a minute or two perfecting the placement then stepped back and with a proud smile said, "You've been Saudi-ized." As one would expect of a princess’s scarf, hers smelled like it had been blessed in fresh Jasmine water and hung to drift in the warm breeze of a rose-scented kingdom.

She took a quick picture. I wasn't ready. Or, maybe I was committing this moment to memory. Either way, she caught me with my eyes closed, thoroughly enjoying my time in this fairytale.

She handed my camera back and I thanked her, then as she turned to walk away I remembered, “Wait!” I called. I reached for the scarf and she said, "Oh no. You keep it." Stunned by her generosity and seemingly boundless grace, I said, "Really?" She smiled sweetly and said, "Yes." (Of course, she did!)

I felt like a small child who’d just met Cinderella. I was so impressed that, coming from deep within my five-year-old soul, I blurted, "I love you!" She smiled. She must hear that all the time. I watched her walk away and as she did, she sang a lovely melody with the voice of an angel. This prompted a full orchestra accompaniment and called the animated birds and bunnies to flock to her side. (Not really, but if it had happened I wouldn’t have been surprised.)

I wore this lovely scarf for the next several days. Each day the scent cast its spell and carried me back to relive those magical moments spent with the princess.

It was beautiful, and everybody lived happily ever after.

The End