The influence of the Sudairi Seven, which can be termed as asabiyya (group spirit) following the khaldûnian terminology, grew constantly after the accession of its leader, Prince Fahd, to crown prince in 1975 and then king in 1982 [REF].
The Sudairis consolidated their hold over these fiefs by appointing their brothers and sons to their own ministries and other key positions: Late Prince Sultan appointed one of his younger Sudairi brothers - Prince Abdul Rahman - and one of his sons as his deputies, Prince Khalid.