The story behind Saudi Crown Prince’s photo that went viral

Saudi Crown Prince’s spontaneous photo holding up two phones during a landmark investment summit in Riyadh on Tuesday has gone viral, and was shared widely by global media.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman was using the devices, an old and a new phone, to depict the past and present in his discussion on NEOM, a $500 billion mega city project announced yesterday by Saudi Arabia.

"The difference between now and what we aspire for NEOM is like the difference between these two phones," the prince said.

Photographer Bandar Al-Ghaloud had 15 seconds only to capture the moment the Saudi Crown Prince demonstrated his message.

بندر الجلعود

Al-Ghaloud told Al Arabiya that he had to be quick and attentive throughout the interview. He was located far from the panel but was still able to capture the moment with his zoom lens.

He added that because no one knows what will happen except in the context of the event itself, he tries to focus attentively until the event ends.

"The photographer's eye must be on the most prominent character all the time so that the he can take an expressive photo that reflects the purpose of the occasion," he said.

الأمير محمد بن سلمان