Why was King Saud of Saudi Arabia removed from power in 1964?

King Saud of Saudi Arabia was deposed in 1964 primarily due to his inability to manage the country's increasingly complex financial and administrative affairs following the influx of petroleum wealth.1

As the state’s operations grew, Saud struggled to govern effectively, leading to significant mismanagement of the kingdom's finances. His leadership was characterized by a lack of the administrative competence required to modernize the state, which stood in contrast to his half-brother, Faisal, who had successfully developed government ministries and established an efficient bureaucracy.12

By 1963, domestic opposition to Saud intensified while he was abroad for medical treatment. Consequently, a coalition consisting of senior members of the ruling family, religious leaders (the ʿulamāʾ), and the National Guard supported Faisal as a more capable leader. In March 1964, all executive powers were transferred to Faisal as viceroy, and on November 2, 1964, the royal family collectively and formally deposed Saud, proclaiming Faisal the new king.123