King Charles III and Queen Camilla officially welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to Windsor Castle on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. This high-profile event marks the Omani ruler’s first official state visit to the United Kingdom since ascending the throne in 2020. It is also the first time an Omani sultan has made an official state visit to the UK in 44 years.
The diplomatic engagement brought together senior members of the British royal family for a formal reception designed to reinforce long-standing bilateral relations between the UK and Oman. Prince William initiated the day’s events by greeting the Sultan at his London residence before accompanying him directly to Windsor.
A Grand Carriage Procession Through Windsor
Upon arriving in the Berkshire town, the visiting Omani leader was formally received by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Princess of Wales on a special royal dais located on Datchet Road. Despite intermittent rain, the principals joined an elaborate horse-drawn carriage procession through the town center, entering Windsor Castle through Cambridge Gate.
King Charles rode in the Irish State Coach alongside Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Queen Camilla followed in the Scottish State Coach with Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs. The Prince and Princess of Wales traveled in the Australian State Coach with other senior Omani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said.
Ceremonial Military Honors in the Quadrangle
As the royal carriages swept into the castle’s Quadrangle, a Guard of Honour formed by the Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards delivered a royal salute. The Band of the Scots Guards played both the British and Omani national anthems while the Sultan and King Charles inspected the troops.
At the same time, a traditional royal salute was fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn of nearby Home Park. Parallel artillery salvos were also fired from the Tower of London.
Diplomatic Significance and Evening State Banquet
Following the military review, the royal party gathered inside the State Dining Room for a formal lunch. This was followed by a private viewing of a curated exhibition featuring Omani artifacts from the Royal Collection within the Green Drawing Room.
The landmark first day of the state visit culminated in a glittering state banquet hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle. Working members of the royal family attended the grand evening affair in St George’s Hall. The state visit highlights the enduring diplomatic, defense, and economic ties connecting the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Oman.
