LONDON: Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was greeted on Wednesday by Queen Elizabeth II, with whom he had lunch at Buckingham Palace. He is then scheduled to dine with Prince Charles and Prince William later in the day. Earlier on Wednesday, the UKs Prime Minister Theresa May defended Britains links to its defense and security ally Saudi Arabia in Parliament, saying cooperation had helped save the lives of hundreds of people. "The link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one, and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country," May said in response to a question from opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. The PM added that the UK has had a "longstanding and historic relationship with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that will continue." She said, under the Crown Prince, that Saudi Arabia "is reforming, is changing, is giving more rights to women" and that the UK will "stand alongside" Saudi Arabia to deliver on his vision. Foreign minister Boris Johnson led the welcoming party for Prince Mohammed on his arrival late on Tuesday. The visit to Buckingham Palace to see Queen Elizabeth was the first engagement for the Crown Prince on Wednesday The Saudi Arabian delegation will also meet May and senior ministers inside Mays Downing Street offices to launch a UK-Saudi "Strategic Partnership Council" — an initiative to encourage Saudi Arabias economic reforms and foster cooperation on issues such as education and culture, as well as defense and security. The three-day visit is also due to include a meeting with Archbishop of Cantebury Justin Welby, as well as lunch with May at the Prime Ministers rural retreat, Chequers, and talks with Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson.