Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Wednesday appointed his 31-year-old son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince, placing him firmly as first-in-line to the throne.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was second-in-line to the throne and was overseeing defence portfolio and head of an economic council tasked with overhauling the country’s economy. He had previously been in charge of his father’s royal court when Salman was the crown prince.

Mohammed bin Salman will be the next king of Saudi Arabia

Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, better known as MBS is the eldest son of King Salman from his third spouse Fahda bint Falah bin Sultan. The couple have three more children. Born on August 31, 1985, Prince Salman has graduated in Law from King Saud University.

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As defence minister, Prince Salman oversees the war in Yemen against pro-Iranian Shia rebels. He is also a key figure in the current stand-off with Qatar. As the head of economic council, the crown prince wants to reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil, which includes selling a stake in oil giant Saudi Aramco and putting other assets under the control of a sovereign wealth fund, which is also headed by him.