Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman has begun a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, running from October 20 to October 22, 2026. King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting the Sultan at Windsor Castle. This marks the first state visit by a Sultan of Oman since March 1982. The visit is accompanied by enhanced security measures, temporary traffic restrictions, and extended airspace controls.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead deployed additional specialist officers, search teams, the mounted section, and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers to manage the high-profile diplomatic event. The visit underscores the ongoing use of Windsor Castle for major international receptions while Buckingham Palace undergoes extensive structural refurbishment.
Official Itinerary and Ceremonial Welcomes
The Sultan arrived in Britain via Stansted Airport on Monday, October 19, 2026. On behalf of the King, the Prince of Wales officially greeted him the following morning. The royal party then traveled to Windsor, where King Charles and Queen Camilla formally welcomed the Sultan at the Royal Dais on Datchet Road.
A Royal Salute was fired in Windsor’s Home Park and at the Tower of London. The Sultan then joined members of the British Royal Family-including the Prince and Princess of Wales-in a formal carriage procession through the town to Windsor Castle. A Guard of Honour greeted the procession in the castle’s Quadrangle, accompanied by the national anthems of Oman and Britain and an inspection of the military ranks.
- October 20: Arrival in the UK, formal welcoming ceremony at Windsor Castle, carriage procession, private lunch in the State Dining Room, viewing of Omani artifacts from the Royal Collection, and an evening State Banquet.
- October 21: Farewell from the King and Queen, followed by travel to London to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street and attend an evening banquet hosted by the City of London Corporation at Guildhall.
- October 22: Visit to Here East at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to examine urban regeneration projects and view an industry and SME showcase inside Plexal before departing from Stansted Airport.
Robust Security and Airspace Restrictions
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit noted that the force used its extensive experience in policing major royal occasions to establish a comprehensive security perimeter. Permanent airspace restrictions surrounding Windsor Castle were extended on October 20 from 07:00 BST until midnight in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and National Air Traffic Services.
Local authorities implemented targeted road closures between 09:00 and 15:00 on October 19 and 20. These closures affected sections of the B470-including River Street, Thames Avenue, Datchet Road, King Edward VII Avenue, and Windsor Road-along with St Alban’s Street. The King Edward VII Avenue car park was also closed to the public during peak operational hours on both days.
Policing Costs and Funding Debate
This high-profile event has reignited political discussions regarding the financial burden placed on local law enforcement agencies during royal visits. Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber expressed concerns that the region has previously been left short-changed regarding cost reimbursements for policing major diplomatic functions at Windsor Castle. While the Home Office and the Royal Borough confirmed that government funds are designated to cover additional policing and council state visit expenses, local officials continue to monitor resource allocations closely.
