King Charles III hosted the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, and his retinue at a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle, aiming to put the perceived distraction of Prince Harry's recent interview behind him.
The monarch was joined by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, and other working royals for the event. The banquet featured a menu including Scottish langoustine, Cornish crab, Windsor pheasant, and baked Alaskas, accompanied by various wines. Sultan Haitham and his entourage opted for soft drinks.
The occasion followed the release of Prince Harry's interview, in which he stated his desire for reconciliation with his family, including King Charles and Prince William, while also suggesting that "some people don't want it to work out." A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex later clarified that his remarks were not intended as a criticism of his brother or other family members.
Preparations for the banquet included the laying of a long table in St George's Hall, adorned with cutlery from the Grand Service, commissioned by George IV. Decorations featured pomegranates from the Windsor Castle gardens, a tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh, who had planted a tree there approximately 50 years ago. For the first time, the salt served at the banquet was imprinted with the King's royal cypher.
A specially created post-banquet cocktail, inspired by the Omani ritual of 'Kahwa' (hospitality), was offered. This beverage, described as a non-alcoholic treat, was reimagined with a British influence, incorporating local teas and Windsor honey alongside aromatic spices, cardamom, rose, and dates.
Earlier in the day, senior royals had welcomed the Sultan for his State Visit. The banquet itself was set to commence around 8 p.m. at Windsor Castle.