The controversy goes to the core of what is perhaps the biggest question hanging over the family-run, oil-rich country, which does not have a clearly defined succession process in place.
Its ad hoc feel suggests that we may need a much deeper bench of strategic leaders across all the services, and a more deliberate and resilient succession process.
Indeed, to do otherwise would suggest a failure of the succession processes that should see a contest of candidates introduced to the board in good time for the inevitable change.