In 1977, Saudi Arabia witnessed a deeply tragic and controversial event that continues to resonate in discussions about justice, culture, and gender roles. Princess Mishaal bint Fahd Al Saud, a young member of the royal family, was publicly executed for adultery, alongside her lover, Khaled al Sha' er Muhalhal. Their deaths marked a dark chapter in the kingdom' s history, sparking debates about the intersection of tradition, law, and human rights.

Princess Mishaal, born into the House of Saud, was known for her strong personality and desire for independence. Her family sent her to Beirut, Lebanon, for education, where she fell in love with Khaled, the nephew of a Saudi ambassador. Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, their relationship was discovered, and charges of adultery were brought against them— a crime punishable by death under the kingdom' s strict interpretation of Sharia law.

The couple attempted to escape the country, with Princess Mishaal disguising herself as a man. However, their plan was foiled when she was recognized at the airport. Despite her family' s pleas to deny the charges, Mishaal confessed to adultery in court, sealing her fate. On July 15, 1977, she was executed by gunfire, while Khaled was beheaded— a punishment carried out near the palace in Jeddah, rather than the usual site for public executions.