Turki Al al-Shikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, announced the death of Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsin, a highly regarded poet in the country, early on Saturday.
After a brief illness, he passed away in France at the age of 75, according to Al Arabiya.
Al-Shikh expressed his condolences to Prince Badr's family as well as the people of Saudi Arabia in a statement on social media following his passing.
"I feel as though I have lost my father," he wrote in Arabic.
1949 saw the birth of Prince Badr in Riyadh. The celebrated poet attended school in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia and was surrounded by academics and authors from an early age, according to Al Arabiya.
He continued on to pursue studies in the UK and the US.
He has been instrumental in advancing the Kingdom's cultural landscape while preserving its historical foundations. He participated actively in national affairs and worked with a number of well-known Arab musicians, including Talal Maddah and Mohammed Abdo.
He has occupied notable roles in the industry, such as President of the Saudi Poetry Organization and Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts.
Prince Badr is a laureate of both national and international honors. He is known as the "architect of the word" in appreciation of his decades-long works that have impacted the lives of millions in the area and reflected the political and social aspects of life in the Kingdom and the Arab world.
In recognition of his contributions to the nation, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz awarded him the King Abdulaziz Sash in 2019.
In commemoration of World Poetry Day that same year, Prince Badr was given a 40-year tribute by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during a Parisian event.
Many people paid tribute to the esteemed poet via social media, remembering him via his creations and sending thoughts and condolences.
