This title is a reissue of a shocking true story of life behind the
veil.In a land where Kings still rule, I am a Princess. You must know me only as
Sultana, for I cannot reveal my true name for fear that harm will come to me
and my family for what I am about to tell you. Think of a Saudi Arabian
princess and what do you see? A woman glittering with jewels, living a life of
unbelievable luxury. She has gold, palaces, swimming-pools, servants, designer
dresses galore. But in reality she lives in a gilded cage. She has no freedom,
no vote, no control over her own life, no value but as a bearer of sons. Hidden
behind the vell, she is a prisoner, her jailers her father, her husband, her
sons. 'Sultana' is a member of the Saudi royal family, closely related to the
King. For the sake of her daughters, she decided that it was time for a woman
in her position to speak out about the reality of life for women in her
country, whatever their rank. She tells of her own life, from her turbulent
childhood to her arranged marriage - a happy one, until her husband decided to
take a second wife - and of the lives of her sisters, her friends and her
servants.; In contrast to the affection and easy camaraderie amongst the women, she
relates a history of appalling oppression against them, everyday occurrences
that in any other culture would be seen as shocking human rights violations:
forced marriages, servants bullied into sex slavery, summary executions.
Princess is a testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and great courage. By
speaking out, 'Sultana' risked bringing the wrath of the Saudi establishment
upon her head and upon the heads of her children. For this reason, she told her
story anonymously.
