Sultan of Oman Arrives for UK State Visit, Met by Royal Family

The Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, has arrived in the United Kingdom for a three-day state visit at the invitation of the British government. He was welcomed at Windsor Castle by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

The visit, which commenced with a ceremonial welcome on a drizzly autumnal day, aims to strengthen trade, diplomatic, military, and cultural ties between the two nations. Oman is considered one of Britain's oldest allies in Arabia.

Prince William initially greeted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at one of his private residences before they traveled to Windsor together. In a departure from traditional arrangements, the Princess of Wales joined the King and Queen in greeting the Sultan, a change made as the Sultan is not accompanied by his wife on this visit. Catherine, Princess of Wales, wore a dark green coat dress, a color that appeared to be a nod to the Omani flag.

The welcome ceremony included a royal salute by the Sovereign's Escort and the playing of national anthems by a military band. Following the initial reception, the royal party and the Sultan embarked on a carriage procession through Windsor town to Windsor Castle. The King and the Sultan traveled in the Irish State Coach, with the Queen and H.H. Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, following behind.

The Prince and Princess of Wales rode in the Australian State Coach alongside H.H. Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and H.H. Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al Said, Secretary General of the Diwan of the Royal Court. The procession route was lined with members of the Armed Forces.

Upon arrival at Windsor Castle, a Guard of Honour, comprising the Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards, was inspected by the Sultan and the King. A Royal Salute was given, and the regimental band played the Omani and British national anthems.

Later, the King and Queen, accompanied by members of the Royal Family and the Sultan, attended a State Banquet at Windsor Castle. Speeches were delivered by King Charles III and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Earlier in the day, the Sultan and the King were scheduled to inspect the Guard of Honour before viewing a military rank and march past. A private lunch was also held in the State Dining Room, followed by an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to Oman.

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik acceded to the throne in 2020. He is married with four children. One of his key challenges is guiding Oman's economic diversification away from its reliance on oil revenues. This state visit marks the first by an Omani ruler in 44 years, with the previous one hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982.