Oman’s Sultan welcomed in Windsor at start of UK state visit

King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said to Windsor on Tuesday, as the Gulf state began a UK visit combining royal ceremony with talks on trade, defence and regional diplomacy. [1]

The King, Queen, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, joined the ceremonial welcome. The Sultan inspected a guard of honour with Charles before the party travelled by carriage to Windsor Castle. [1]

Oman is a strategic partner for the UK and has acted as a diplomatic bridge between Western countries and Iran, the BBC reports. The visit comes amid tensions in the Middle East, with Oman situated across the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman from Iran. [1]

A state banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening, followed by political discussions at Downing Street on Wednesday. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to attend the banquet; the BBC says it will be his first state banquet since becoming prime minister. [1]

Burnham spoke with the Sultan in July about efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. He said then that he was grateful for Oman’s mediation efforts. [1]