The king ascended the throne on 26/6/1426H, and each anniversary of the event (according to the Islamic lunar calendar) is marked by celebration. The press is replete with official mention and congratulatory praise from royal family members, as the princes scramble to pay their respects. Nonetheless, here as in other matters, a strict protocol and obscure hierarchy must be followed. In general, the senior members published their comments before the more junior, but there were important exceptions. The princes were also careful to walk the fine line between genuine, if occasionally brief, celebratory praise, and more fulsome gestures, which, if overblown, risked being seen as obsequious.

The words of Muhammad bin Fahd bin Abd al-Aziz, the Governor of the Eastern Region, were in fact the first to be reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), an indication of the immense importance he holds in the governing hierarchy. He said that the king's ascension marked a "turning point in the Kingdom's history", and "engraved letters eternal in the memory of the nation". His comments were significant, for the fact that more senior princes were featured in subsequent days.

Among the first to praise the king was Salman bin Abd al-Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region, currently with the crown prince in Aghadir. Salman said that the king's reign was a source of pride. Sattam bin Abd al-Aziz, the Acting Governor of Riyadh Region while Salman is in Morocco,, stressed the Kingdom's achievements over the past four years, which motivated the people to achieve more. On the same day, Turki bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz, Assistant Minister of Culture and Information, commended the king and crown prince's efforts. In an article he penned for the occasion, Turki highlighted the Kingdom's increasing influential position in the regional, Arab, Islamic and international arenas.

Abd al-Aziz bin Majid bin Abd al-Aziz, the Governor of Madinah region, praised the king for his achievements, initiatives and contributions, which "possess the hearts of all peoples". Mish'al bin Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz, the Governor of Najran region, and king's son, also spoke in general terms, praising the achievements which embodied his dedication to the homeland. Muhammed bin Saud bin Abd al-Aziz, the Governor of Baha region expressed his "great pleasure", but made no specific comments. Sultan bin Fahd bin Abd al-Aiz, the General President of Youth Welfare, spoke of the king's comprehensive care for all matters, and added that the Kingdom was taking a lead role in the foreign policy arena. Prince Mish'al bin Abd al-Aziz, Chairman of the Bay'ah Commission, commended the major reform efforts undertaken by the king. Mish'al noted that the king's approach, achieving right and justice in the service of all citizens without distinction, was the same appoach as that "established by the late great founder King Abd al-Aziz, and has been pursued by his sons, the Kings, till the era of King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz, the King of Humanity, and the Crown Prince." He also added that the extent of the Kingdom's contributions in world affairs is dependant on the influence of its leader. As befits his position as head of the Bay'ah, Mish'al's comments were thoughtful and diplomatic, careful to stress the continuity of the royal family. His measured words highlight his role as figurehead and arbiter.

Saud al-Faysal, the Foreign Minister, emphasized the keenness of Abdallah for the principle of dialogue as one of the major principles of the Kingdom's foreign policy. In an article titled "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Culture Of Dialogue", he listed the king's patronage of the World Islamic Conference for Dialogue in Makkah, attended by more than 500 Muslim scholars, the Dialogue Between Followers of Religions and Cultures which he proposed, and then patronized in Madrid, and the dialogue between Palestinian factions.