The daughter of Saudi Arabia's former ruler says she is seeking political asylum in the UK.
Princess Sara bint Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud says she faces persecution by members of her family and also some of Saudi Arabia's authorities.
The mother-of-four says she has applied to the Home Office for political asylum. She moved to the UK in 2007 and currently lives in London.
The Home Office says it will not comment on individual cases.
Princess Sara, who is divorced, is also applying for asylum for her children. Her father, King Saud, ruled Saudi Arabia from 1953 until 1964.
She said in a statement that after she and her children's leave to remain in the UK expired, they applied to continue their stay in this country. However, this was refused by the Home Office in 2011.
She added: "So, with deep regret, and as I have been left with no other choice, I have written to the UK Home Office to indicate that I, and my children, wish to be granted political asylum.
"My reputation has been besmirched in the media by a baseless and malicious smear campaign.
"For years I have endured all this in silence, while trying to resolve my situation with dignity through the normal channels, without fanfare or publicity.
"But my pleas to the Saudi authorities in the Kingdom have been obstructed and denied, and the Saudi embassy in London has turned its back on me."
Princess Sara went on to say that she has "nothing but respect for my uncle King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the people of Saudi Arabia".
"All I have ever sought is my legitimate rights, so that my children and I can resume our lives with dignity and I can resume my civil society and development work."
The princess has previously told the BBC that she wants wide-ranging reforms in her country.
She has called for "a proper constitution that treats all men and women on an equal footing before the law". She also says she "strongly believes" the current implementation of Saudi Arabian divorce law is "abusive".
The princess has also called for an overhaul of her country's education system, a complete reform of social services and a change in attitude towards women's rights.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, a Saudi embassy diplomat said: "The embassy has been involved in settling her visa issue and residency issue in the UK. We have tried to settle this issue.
"This matter is of a personal nature so there is only so much the government can do. It's not a political matter."
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