| Bill's Belgian Medals The Prince: The Secret Story of the World's Most Intriguing Royal A Collector's View |
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Visitors to my website may have noticed that I have been a frequent visitor to the United States in recent years. This has been prompted by my decision to write the biography of an old friend: The Prince: The Secret Story of the World's Most Intriguing Royal, Prince Bandar bin Sultan. The Prince currently Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council and former Saudi Ambassador to the United States for 23 years. The biography will be launched in Washington, D.C., on October 17, 2006 and will be published by ReganBook, a division of HarperCollins Publishing. Uniquely, the book carries forewords by former President Nelson Mandela and Baroness Margaret Thatcher. Some indication of the stature of Prince Bandar can be gauged from the following comments: “Prince Bandar is an outstanding man who has so often guided the pattern of world events, a charismatic and accomplished individual that I know as a close friend. Prince Bandar’s achievements deserve international recognition. He has worked relentlessly in the cause of peace and I unconditionally applaud him as a man of peace, a diplomat of astonishing caliber, and one of the great peacemakers of our time.” Nelson Mandela “Prince Bandar is bold and decisive, a man after my own heart. This book tells the story of a man for our times who had been at the heart of world events for two decades and whom I am proud to call a friend.” Margaret Thatcher “It’s a relationship of deep friendship and mutual respect; that’s the kind of relationship I have with Bandar. He is exceptionally smart, very canny and cagey…he’ s smart as the devil; he’s the ‘go-to’ guy.” Secretary Colin Powell “Bandar is a man who walks into a room and you know it! He is a very generous man.” Mrs. Barbara Bush “He is charming, attractive, intelligent and very effective, and able to bridge the gap between people – he is a person who can talk and joke and form friendships with Americans of all kinds; conservatives, liberals, black, white, Democrat or Republican. When a problem arises, that relates to peace – all of a sudden Bandar emerges as a King’s emissary to that trouble spot in the world. Having Prince Bandar to help makes all sorts of things possible; he is my friend.” President Jimmy Carter “It’s a fascinating story – it’s a great story. He straddles just so many immensely important international events with key personal participation, influence, and stature; he has a wonderful reputation.” Louis Freeh, Director of the FBI, 1993-2001 “He has the full confidence of the Bush family, including the President. We like him – in addition to that…he is just a joy to be around. He is gregarious and vivacious. He is almost like a – you might say – a son.” President George H. W. Bush “He is the consummate diplomat….there are no angles to him. He has tremendous dignity, integrity, and intelligence. He is a gorgeous hunk of a man; he is a hot number – he is very sensual, very sexy.” Roberta Flack “He is an intelligent, charismatic, shrewd, and very likable individual.” Dr. Henry Kissinger “I think that Prince Bandar is the supreme diplomat, not just because of his natural charisma and charm; I think Bandar has flair, balance, attitude, and inclination. He is an artist.” Peter Jay, British Ambassador to Washington 1977-79 “Prince Bandar is a remarkable man with superb political and interpersonal skills. A man with whom I worked closely and effectively in pursuit of peace in the Middle East, he exudes an aura of charming roguishness, possesses a first-class intellect, and is an excellent representative of his country.” Secretary James A. Baker III “He’s very likable, he has a pleasant personality; he’s very forward and he makes people feel good. I would describe him as flamboyant, dramatic, personable, smart, canny, and probably manipulative. I consider him a friend; I like him a lot. But do I know him – no, I don’t know him. He is a very unusual person.” General Brent Scowcroft Bill Simpson |
Writing this biography was to allow me to interview some of Prince Bandar's political friends including former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush and former President Jimmy Carter. |
The highlight of 2004 was a two hour meeting and interview with former President Nelson Mandela at his Cape Town home. |
The Prince is an exhilarating story of power, intrigue, wealth, arms deals and oil – explosive ingredients. The central character is a flamboyant statesman whose carefully cultivated playboy image concealed an astute diplomat and a James Bond-like character who, for more than two decades, has influenced world events. His charisma, guile and unparalleled access within the Washington Beltway projected him beyond the realm of a mere diplomat; he became the ‘fifth estate’ who could “play Washington like a well-tuned violin.” The sensational story of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, describes a life of unimaginable adventure and intrigue. The progeny of a Saudi prince and a young concubine -- a slave girl -- he became an accomplished fighter pilot, but was to excel during an amazing career as a statesman. Prince Bandar’s rise was meteoric triggered by helping President Jimmy Carter to secure vital votes on Capitol Hill - the Panama Canal Treaty and sale of F-15 aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Appointed military attaché in Washington in 1982, he negotiated a cease-fire during the chaotic Lebanese civil war and was appointed Ambassador soon after, exploding onto Washington’s glitzy social scene, becoming the ‘must have’ guest for any aspiring hostess. A master of Machiavellian deception, Prince Bandar forged a friendship with President Reagan that was perhaps eclipsed only by his special relationship with Nancy Reagan. This biography reveals the shocking influence that this flamboyant and debonair young Prince, a foreign diplomat, wielded on the First Lady, enabling him controversially to influence the selection of senior Administration figures. Prince Bandar supported the President’s aggressive anti-Communist ‘Reagan doctrine’ and working closely with Bill Casey, CIA Director, he funded CIA covert operations and secret wars worldwide, oiling the wheels with Saudi petrodollars. This book throws new light on his key role in the Iran-Contra affair, revealing remarkable information about CIA operations including the previously undisclosed attacks by U.S. Sixth Fleet aircraft – armed with Soviet weapons – against Libyan forces thereby providing complete deniability. Now began an era when this enigmatic young diplomat became an international peacemaker and emissary for Kings, Presidents and world leaders. Consulting with President Gorbachev, he secured Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, threw himself headlong into the Middle East peace process working with Arafat, Assad, Bush and Clinton, negotiating an end to the Iran-Iraq War and, with Nelson Mandela, resolving the Lockerbie Affair – this biography provides behind-the- scenes, intimate accounts of many momentous events. Known as ‘Bandar Bush’, the Prince was a pivotal figure in the first Gulf War, becoming a surrogate cabinet member and turning from deceived peacemaker to hard-line proponent of war. His hand was again evident during the Bush II invasion of Iraq and capture of Saddam Hussein, provoking concern that he was briefed on U.S. war plans before his ‘buddy’ Colin Powell – in this biography, both Prince Bandar and Secretary Powell tell the true story. Over five U.S. Administrations, Prince Bandar was the indispensable bridge between Western and Arab worlds. However, he is not without human weaknesses and this book examines this extraordinary man, highlighting his inclination to depression – like Churchill’s ‘black dog’ – and revealing his own Islamic beliefs, his ecumenical views and his aspirations for bridging religious divides. Interviews with his family and friends expose his unique world, disclosing his loyalty, generosity, humility, sense of duty and his desire to discard his nomadic ways for a fuller family life. This biography exposes the real Prince Bandar whom I knew as a friend for three years. We trained together at the Royal Air Force’s premier military academy; we worked, played sport – both were fencers – and socialized together. Only a chance meeting some years later prompted this biography. To quote former FBI director, Louis Freeh: “It’s a fascinating story; it’s a great story!” |
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| Copyright Bill Simpson © 2006 |
Sound interesting - then why not order it from Amazon books for just over $20.00? It is released on October 17 in hardback. |
A great site about Belgian medals but unfortunately only in Dutch at the moment I look forward to an English version one day! |
Belgian Medals
Chaplain in Chief to the Belgian Army, Mr. le Chanoine
Louis Kerremans
Order of Leopold 1 (Military Division), Order of the Crown, Order of Leopold 2, A Croix de Guerre with one silver
palm and 2 bronze - a total of 7 mentions in the Army Order of the day, three lions - 3 mentions in the Regimental
Order of the day, a Croix de Feu, Civil Decoration 1914-18 First Class, Victory medal, Commemorative Medal
1914-18, 100 Years Centenary of Belgian National Independence, and the Liege medal.
The brother has a Knight of the Order of Leopold 1 (Military), Civil Decoration 1st Class, Resistance medal (WW2),
Volunteer Medal WW1, Victory medal, Commemorative Medal 1914-18, Commemorative Medal with crossed swords
WW2 and the Russian Order of St. George 4th Class for Bravery!
Group 'D' , Organisation Service "D" and the Intelligence and Action Service (SRA).
Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, Commander of the Oaken Crown of
Luxembourg, Commander of Leopold 2. Knight of the Order of the Northern Star of Sweden, Knight of the Order of
Civil Merit of France, Officer of the Order of Merit for the Republic of Italy, Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau of
The Netherlands.
Grand Officer Civil Division of the Order of Leopold 1. Commander (Maritime Division) (French Language only).
Order of Leopold 2 (Knight) and on the right is the bronze Medal for Sports Merit which was created on 23 May
1939. This scarce medal has an annual quota: 100 bronze, 40 silver and 10 gold medals are awarded per annum
and they are mainly awarded for sustained meritorious service in the field of endeavour (10 years for the bronze
medal, 15 years for silver and 20 years for gold medals) or to athletes to mark brilliant careers : gold medal to
Olympic Gold Medallists, World Champions or World Record Holders, silver medal to European Champions,
European Record Holders or Olympic Silver Medallists and the bronze medal for remarkable performance on
national or international level.
the Leopold 1 Order. However, next to that is the rare 'Rescuers of Antwerp'; then a gold service star for Belgian
Congo service. The medal at the extreme right is the Leopold 2 Medal for acts of bravery, awarded for rescuers
from fire or drowning etc. But the medal 2nd from right is a very rare Napoleon 3 medal - The 1859 Battle of
Solferino Medal. This was issued to French soldiers returning from 1859 Italian Campaign who participated in the
battle. Although issued mostly to the French, many Italian officers also received it. It is a very interesting medal for
both Italian and French collectors and the full size medal is classified as Rare.
The Medaille Commemorative Croix Des Passeurs (FCAE). Article 4 medal, Belgium's highest bravery award.
Ardennes; Ardennes Belges; Atlantique Nord; Bataille D'Angelterre; Battaille de Belgique 1940; Beauquesne;
Belgique; Campagne D'Allemagne; Campagne De Hollande; Canal Albert; Canal Albert-Kanne; Canal De
Terneuzen; Canal de Wessem; Dieppe; Emden; Escaut; Flandres 1940; Frontiere; Italie; Knesselare; La Dendre
1940; La Gette; La Lys 1940; Liege 1940; Manche; Namur 1940; Nevele; Normandie; Oldenburg; Ronsele; Vinkt;
Walcheren; Winterbeek; Yougoslavie; Zelzate; Zwinjndrecht. Diksmuide (above), Liege (Above), Lys (above),
Moyen-Orient (above), Namur, Nederland 1940/45 (above), Nigerie (above), Pays Bas 1944-45 (Above), Rhur
(below), Rheinland (below), Saar (below), Selzeate (above) and Tchecoslovaquie 1945 (above).There are even
African service bars - see below - Katanda; Gandijika and Baxwanda. Allemagne 1944-1945; France 1944;
Pays-Bas 1944-1945; Tchecoslovaquie 1945; Ardennes 1944-1945. Atlantiek Noord; Albert Kanal; Duitsland
1944/45, Veldtocht, Van Holland; De Geet.
Leopold 2 Grand Cross, sash badge and breast star. Africa Star Commander. Association of POW and Aircrew
Helpers - Association Passeurs d'Hommes. The medal at centre is the Belgian Federation of Belgian Resistance of
the Ardennes.
Allied Subjects Bronze Medal Allied Subjects Silver Medal.
British MVO, Portuguese Order of Avis, and Belgian Order of Leopold 1 (Military Division) and Order of the Crown,
was part of a much larger group of medals, full size and miniature, that belonged to Baron De Heusch and which
was disposed of piecemeal at a public auction earlier this year. I have my good friend Kurt Van Camp to thank for
this little piece of history as he kindly bid for me knowing of my interest in Belgian history and attributable medal
groups. Colonel Baron Raymond de Heusch was born in 1916 and took part in the brief 1940 campaign during the
German invasion of Belgium. He was taken prisoner of war but re-enlisted with No. 10 Commando in 1944, serving
with the Belgian Paras in the UK. He was to become one of the most decorated Belgian soldiers of WW2 and was
decorated by most European countries for his services with the liberation forces in 1944 and 1945. He was also
appointed Aide de camp to the King.
Order of the Phoenix of Greece.
Belgian Croix civique 1st Class and an Officer of the Ordre du Lion et du Soleil Levant de Perse (Iran).
The Gratitude Medal of the National Royalist Movement. The Medal of the Liberation Army
The Commemorative Medal of the Independence Front
The Medal of the Belgian National Movement
The Cross of the Clandestine Press Section of the Organization "Front Unique-Eenheidsfront"
Cross of a Commander of the National Union of the Clandestine Press.
Athos" Intelligence Resistance Group
Chaplain in Chief to the Belgian Army, Mr. le Chanoine
Louis Kerremans
Order of Leopold 1 (Military Division), Order of the Crown, Order of Leopold 2, A Croix de Guerre with one silver
palm and 2 bronze - a total of 7 mentions in the Army Order of the day, three lions - 3 mentions in the Regimental
Order of the day, a Croix de Feu, Civil Decoration 1914-18 First Class, Victory medal, Commemorative Medal
1914-18, 100 Years Centenary of Belgian National Independence, and the Liege medal.
The brother has a Knight of the Order of Leopold 1 (Military), Civil Decoration 1st Class, Resistance medal (WW2),
Volunteer Medal WW1, Victory medal, Commemorative Medal 1914-18, Commemorative Medal with crossed swords
WW2 and the Russian Order of St. George 4th Class for Bravery!
Group 'D' , Organisation Service "D" and the Intelligence and Action Service (SRA).
Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, Commander of the Oaken Crown of
Luxembourg, Commander of Leopold 2. Knight of the Order of the Northern Star of Sweden, Knight of the Order of
Civil Merit of France, Officer of the Order of Merit for the Republic of Italy, Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau of
The Netherlands.
Grand Officer Civil Division of the Order of Leopold 1. Commander (Maritime Division) (French Language only).
Order of Leopold 2 (Knight) and on the right is the bronze Medal for Sports Merit which was created on 23 May
1939. This scarce medal has an annual quota: 100 bronze, 40 silver and 10 gold medals are awarded per annum
and they are mainly awarded for sustained meritorious service in the field of endeavour (10 years for the bronze
medal, 15 years for silver and 20 years for gold medals) or to athletes to mark brilliant careers : gold medal to
Olympic Gold Medallists, World Champions or World Record Holders, silver medal to European Champions,
European Record Holders or Olympic Silver Medallists and the bronze medal for remarkable performance on
national or international level.
the Leopold 1 Order. However, next to that is the rare 'Rescuers of Antwerp'; then a gold service star for Belgian
Congo service. The medal at the extreme right is the Leopold 2 Medal for acts of bravery, awarded for rescuers
from fire or drowning etc. But the medal 2nd from right is a very rare Napoleon 3 medal - The 1859 Battle of
Solferino Medal. This was issued to French soldiers returning from 1859 Italian Campaign who participated in the
battle. Although issued mostly to the French, many Italian officers also received it. It is a very interesting medal for
both Italian and French collectors and the full size medal is classified as Rare.
The Medaille Commemorative Croix Des Passeurs (FCAE). Article 4 medal, Belgium's highest bravery award.
Ardennes; Ardennes Belges; Atlantique Nord; Bataille D'Angelterre; Battaille de Belgique 1940; Beauquesne;
Belgique; Campagne D'Allemagne; Campagne De Hollande; Canal Albert; Canal Albert-Kanne; Canal De
Terneuzen; Canal de Wessem; Dieppe; Emden; Escaut; Flandres 1940; Frontiere; Italie; Knesselare; La Dendre
1940; La Gette; La Lys 1940; Liege 1940; Manche; Namur 1940; Nevele; Normandie; Oldenburg; Ronsele; Vinkt;
Walcheren; Winterbeek; Yougoslavie; Zelzate; Zwinjndrecht. Diksmuide (above), Liege (Above), Lys (above),
Moyen-Orient (above), Namur, Nederland 1940/45 (above), Nigerie (above), Pays Bas 1944-45 (Above), Rhur
(below), Rheinland (below), Saar (below), Selzeate (above) and Tchecoslovaquie 1945 (above).There are even
African service bars - see below - Katanda; Gandijika and Baxwanda. Allemagne 1944-1945; France 1944;
Pays-Bas 1944-1945; Tchecoslovaquie 1945; Ardennes 1944-1945. Atlantiek Noord; Albert Kanal; Duitsland
1944/45, Veldtocht, Van Holland; De Geet.
Leopold 2 Grand Cross, sash badge and breast star. Africa Star Commander. Association of POW and Aircrew
Helpers - Association Passeurs d'Hommes. The medal at centre is the Belgian Federation of Belgian Resistance of
the Ardennes.
Allied Subjects Bronze Medal Allied Subjects Silver Medal.
British MVO, Portuguese Order of Avis, and Belgian Order of Leopold 1 (Military Division) and Order of the Crown,
was part of a much larger group of medals, full size and miniature, that belonged to Baron De Heusch and which
was disposed of piecemeal at a public auction earlier this year. I have my good friend Kurt Van Camp to thank for
this little piece of history as he kindly bid for me knowing of my interest in Belgian history and attributable medal
groups. Colonel Baron Raymond de Heusch was born in 1916 and took part in the brief 1940 campaign during the
German invasion of Belgium. He was taken prisoner of war but re-enlisted with No. 10 Commando in 1944, serving
with the Belgian Paras in the UK. He was to become one of the most decorated Belgian soldiers of WW2 and was
decorated by most European countries for his services with the liberation forces in 1944 and 1945. He was also
appointed Aide de camp to the King.
Order of the Phoenix of Greece.
Belgian Croix civique 1st Class and an Officer of the Ordre du Lion et du Soleil Levant de Perse (Iran).
The Gratitude Medal of the National Royalist Movement. The Medal of the Liberation Army
The Commemorative Medal of the Independence Front
The Medal of the Belgian National Movement
The Cross of the Clandestine Press Section of the Organization "Front Unique-Eenheidsfront"
Cross of a Commander of the National Union of the Clandestine Press.
Athos" Intelligence Resistance Group
I also interviewed President Bill Clinton - my wife, Wendy, enjoyed the occasion. |
What Harper Collins says about 'The Prince.' A riveting portrait of one of the most enigmatic yet influential powerbrokers in America—Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States from 1983–2005. For the last two and a half decades, the United States and Saudi Arabia have had a very special relationship— through war, oil crises, and global terrorism. At a time when understanding our friends is as important as knowing our enemies, understanding Prince Bandar bin Sultan may be the key to figuring out the Saudis. As the illegitimate son of a Saudi prince and a servant girl, Prince Bandar overcame his unrecognized beginnings to rise through the ranks of the Royal Saudi Air Force. Through his work with President Carter on the sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia and his vital behind- the-scenes help in getting the Panama Canal Treaty through Congress, Bandar became one of Saudi Arabia’ s brightest diplomatic stars—leading to his appointment as the Ambassador to the United States. As Ambassador, Bandar worked with President Reagan and CIA Director Bill Casey to win the Cold War with Saudi petrodollars. Seemingly in the thick of some of the most important world events of the last twenty-five years, Bandar played a key role in the Iran–Contra affair; convinced President Gorbachev to withdraw the Soviet military from Afghanistan; and negotiated an end to the Iran-Iraq war among others. A Machiavellian manipulator and a master tactician on the global chessboard, Bandar’s access to the Oval Office was unmatched. George H.W. Bush took the prince and his family fishing; Nancy Reagan used him to convey messages to her husband’s Cabinet; Colin Powell would drop by to play racquetball. During the Gulf War, Prince Bandar even became a de facto member of the National Security Council. In this revealing biography, William Simpson pulls back the curtain for the first time on the fascinating and startling life of a man of contradictions—equally at home in the royal palace in Riyadh as on the ski slopes of Aspen or playing hardball politics with international heads of state; a super-wealthy playboy yet a devoted family man; an expert in subterfuge and misdirection, yet a straight talker trusted the world over; a man of peace and yet the biggest arms dealer in the world—who emerged throughout the 1980s and ’90s as one of the driving forces behind American foreign policy. 'The Prince' is sure to become the definitive work on the Machiavellian Saudi behind the White House. |
| Last Updated 17 November 2007 |
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