Prince Nayef, who was also deputy prime minister and interior minister, had left the country for a holiday and medical tests late last month.
On 3 June, the deputy interior minister said the prince, who was 77 or 78, was in good health and would return "soon".
He was named crown prince in October 2011 after the death of the previous crown prince, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
The succession in Saudi Arabia still passes among the sons of former King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, who established the modern kingdom during his reign from 1932 to 1953. So far, five brothers have become kings and about 20 are still alive.
King Abdullah, who is 88 years old, had a back operation last year.
Next in line is expected to be Prince Nayef's 76-year-old brother, Prince Salman, who was appointed defence minister in November after spending five decades as governor of Riyadh.
The new crown prince must be approved by the Allegiance Council, a 34-strong assembly of King Abdul Aziz's sons and some of his grandchildren.
Source: BBC News
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