ne, so you have to make a plan" in terms of passing power on to lesser-known siblings or to the next generation of Saudi royals. Since the death of King Abdulaziz, who had several wives, the succession has passed from brother to brother, without skipping to the next generation. Crown Prince Nayef was about 79

family, said Stephane Lacroix, an assistant professor at France's Sciences Po university who has spent years in Saudi Arabia. Eight decades after King Abdulaziz founded the kingdom, "All this first generation are finishing," Mr. Lacroix said. "All these big names are almost gone, so you have to make a plan"