Prince William Assumes Royal Duties for King Charles During Sultan of Oman's State Visit

Prince William formally welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said of Oman to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, undertaking a significant royal duty on behalf of his father, King Charles.

The Prince of Wales greeted the Omani ruler in London before escorting him to Windsor. There, King Charles and Queen Camilla officially welcomed Sultan al-Said at the Royal Dais on Datchet Road. The ceremony in Windsor’s Home Park also included Catherine, Princess of Wales, and featured a royal salute, followed by a horse-drawn carriage procession to Windsor Castle.

William, 44, wore a dark suit with gray trousers and a blue tie. The Princess of Wales, 44, was seen in a light blue ensemble, while Queen Camilla, 79, wore a red outfit. King Charles, 77, has been undergoing cancer treatment since his diagnosis earlier in the year and has reduced his public-facing duties.

Later on Tuesday, the royal family was scheduled to be joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for a state banquet at Windsor Castle.

This marks the first state visit by an Omani ruler to the UK since March 1982, when Queen Elizabeth II hosted Sultan Qaboos bin Said. That visit was notably marked by a security scare when bomb disposal officers investigated a car near Clarence House, which was later determined to be a false alarm.

Since ascending to the throne in 2022, King Charles has increasingly relied on Prince William and Catherine to represent the monarchy at diplomatic events. In July 2025, the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron for a state visit, and in September 2025, they greeted U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle.