Prince Charles, the prince of Wales, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and his wife Princess Amira were at the glitzy reopening ceremony of this famous iconic hotel.

The Savoy, which originally opened in 1889, closed for refurbishment and restoration of the entire building by over 1,000 craftsmen in December 2007. The planned 16-month closure in 2007 for a £100 million refurbishment turned into a three-year £220 million renovation, after major structural problems were identified.

Prince Alwaleed said at the opening ceremony: "It is a great pleasure to come back and see the Savoy transformed into its former glory. We are very proud at the work accomplished and our aim has been to ensure that the tradition, culture and heritage of the Savoy were maintained."

He also brushed away concerns that the hotel was opening during a global economic recession and said the worst was over. He said that the economic downturn was now steadily moving upward and London's reputation as one of the most vibrant cities in the world was still intact.

He added: "The hotel is a witness of the close alliance between Saudi Arabia and Britain".

Prince Charles at the opening ceremony unveiled a marble plaque to commemorate the visit and said he was delighted and felt his spirits raised now that the Savoy was open for business once again. The Prince, who is involved in many charitable works, also said he was glad that the Savoy was establishing new partnerships and working closely with the Prince's Trust opening up opportunities for people from different backgrounds and skills.

Princess Amira who was at the side of her husband expressed pleasure at the grand refurbishments and the exclusive pristine decor.

The hotel's two main design aesthetics, Edwardian and Art Deco, have been carefully brought back to life under the world-renowned designer Pierre Yves Rochon. More than 1,000 craftsmen and women, artists and artisans have worked to create interiors that are in keeping with the hotel's original and much loved spirit.

This 121-year-old hotel with 168 rooms was the brainchild of the Gilbert and Sullivan impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte and has become a global icon in the world of hotels, it is a favorite with VIPs, including royalty and Hollywood stars.