Did you know that Hollywood A-lister Johnny Depp is close friends with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS? This unlikely friendship has taken many by surprise. Vanity Fair published a detailed account of their East-meets-West bromance, which began with the goal of attracting more A-list talent to support Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning film industry. Facilitating this camaraderie was MBS’s cousin, Prince Badr, known for famously acquiring the $450 million Salvator Mundi painting for the royal collection. This time, he secured a friendship that, despite their few similarities and shared interests, is poised to endure.
The Kingdom’s investments in Hollywood may or may not yield financial returns, but the 38-year-old visionary prince certainly scored a BFF in the 60-year-old Depp. All it took for Depp was one visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met first with Prince Badr followed by an array of people from the court, including drivers, desert guides, young artists, and members of the royal court.
It was a natural connection between Johnny Depp and MBS, who hit it off like brothers. They explored the wonders of AlUla, an ancient oasis city that had been off-limits before MBS’s tenure, spent quality time aboard the $400 million Serene superyacht, and commiserated over their public image transformations from golden boys to outcasts.\
Depp spent over seven weeks in Saudi Arabia, visiting royal palaces, mountain camps with trained falcons, and even flying to London and back on MBS’s personal 747. However, it was their time aboard the luxury vessel, ranked among the world’s top 10 superyachts, that was the most endearing. It humanized these world-renowned personalities, revealing two men bonding over their miseries, misunderstandings, and missions.
According to Vanity Fair, Depp flew multiple times by helicopter to MBS’s Serene yacht, a 439-foot vessel that offers unparalleled views of the Red Sea. The ship accommodated the Pirates of the Caribbean star not as Captain Jack Sparrow but as a pal with his guitar in tow.
Depp is a gifted player, who carried his instrument to make the most of the picturesque setting. The duo spent days reveling in the yacht’s luxuries, including a saltwater swimming pool, climbing wall, submarine, and helicopters, while nights were reserved for late-night conversations about the crown prince’s plans for Saudi Arabia and boosting art and filmmaking in the country.
A source revealed that Depp, a man of many talents, even gifted the art-aficionado prince with a painting he had made. Depp’s debut art collection, ‘Friends & Heroes,’ fetched $3.6 million in 2022, so his gift will hold value in the art world undoubtedly.
It’s rumored that the Serene megayacht houses the most expensive painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, at least until the museum MBS plans to build for it is completed. Perhaps Depp’s painting, a sweet gesture of friendship, will find a spot next to it in the ornate halls of the fantastic Fincantieri ship.
The spectacular Serene, designed by Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design, features a snow room, internal seawater pool, children’s playroom with a climbing wall, and a helipad that converts to another pool or dance floor at the touch of a button.
The splendid seven-decker also boasts an exciting underwater viewing room, an arsenal of toys and tenders, and a wellness and beauty center complete with spas and soothing hammam. It’s no wonder Johnny Depp’s friend remarked, “The trips to Saudi are actually healthy for him.”
