Unlike during his time spent in Iran, Alex was not immediately detained and brought to a holding cell for questioning, rather the Saudi Royal Guards held him on the spot and interrogated him for information about what had happened.
It was, of course, difficult to explain that he had reacted on instinct, and struck the American ambassador, after the American Ambassador demanded that Alex bow before the Saudi Princess and introduce himself like some kind of whipped dog.
Nor was it exactly an excuse that the Saudi King wanted to hear. After all, it was a simple sign of courtesy to greet a royal in such a way and he was displeased to see Alex's lack of decorum, immediately ordering an investigation as to why Alex was invited into his daughter's birthday ceremony.