King Saud of the eponymous Arabia arrived in Boston on Nov. 22, 1961 for a stay at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital – initially for treatment of what the Globe called “a stomach condition,” but then, as long as he was here, for two cataract operations.
His recovery at the hospital extended for six weeks – and then he decamped for the Sheraton Plaza Hotel (now the Fairmount Copley Plaza) for additional convalescence in what was turned into a 40-room suite. At the same time, his son, Prince Mashhur, was at Children’s Hospital to have a hand tendon damaged at birth replaced with a tendon from another part of his body.
While at the hotel, Gov. Volpe visited him and presented him with a Paul Revere Bowl. And on Jan. 17, he had a banquet in the hotel ballroom:
More photos from his stay…