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King Charles Praises Oman's Strait of Hormuz Peace Efforts at State Banquet
King Charles hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman at a state banquet in Windsor Castle, praising Oman's efforts to maintain peace in the Strait of Hormuz and mediate the Iran conflict. The visit, the first by an Omani sultan to Britain in 44 years, included a formal ceremonial welcome and a multi-course dinner attended by 160 guests. The Sultan will meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham on 22 October to discuss business and military links.
Quick Facts
- State banquet held at Windsor Castle
- Ceremonial welcome on Royal Dais at Datchet Road
- King Charles delivered speech in English and Arabic praising Oman's peace efforts
- Multi-course dinner served in St George's Hall
- Meeting scheduled between Sultan and Prime Minister at Downing Street
King Charles hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman at a state banquet in Windsor Castle on 20 October 2026, marking the first official visit by an Omani sultan to Britain in 44 years. The ceremonial welcome, held on the Royal Dais at Datchet Road, included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine. The King spoke in both English and Arabic, praising Oman's "noble efforts in trying to keep open one of the world's most important shipping routes" and its diplomatic mediation regarding the ongoing Iran conflict.
The state banquet, held in St George's Hall with 160 guests, featured a multi-course dinner including Scottish langoustine, Windsor pheasant with spiced quince, and individual baked Alaska. In recognition of the Sultan's Muslim faith, organisers replaced the traditional banquet cocktail with a non-alcoholic spiced coffee drink. The King noted the intergenerational partnership between the two countries, referencing his son Prince William's work on an expedition project alongside the Sultan's son.
Oman occupies a strategically critical position along the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane that has been effectively closed since February 2026, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran following the killing of Iran's supreme leader. The Sultan responded to the King's remarks by reaffirming his country's commitment to dialogue, stating that Oman "seeks solutions... we believe in dialogue." This visit coincides with ongoing Middle East tensions and precedes a meeting between the Sultan and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street on 22 October, where the pair will discuss business and military links.
State visits are held at Windsor Castle while Buckingham Palace undergoes renovations. This was the first state banquet under Prime Minister Burnham's administration, and notably the first incoming state visit for the working royals since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the UK—Harry and Meghan do not participate in official royal engagements as private individuals. The banquet reflected the diplomatic significance of UK-Oman relations, with the carefully choreographed ceremony providing a platform for discussions on trade, defence, and regional stability.
Why This Matters
Oman controls a critical chokepoint at the Strait of Hormuz through which global shipping transits; the strait has been effectively closed since February 2026 following US–Israel military action. This state visit, the first by an Omani sultan to Britain in 44 years, provides a formal platform for the UK and Oman to reinforce diplomatic and military ties at a moment of heightened Middle East tensions. The scheduled meeting between the Sultan and Prime Minister Burnham on 22 October will address trade, defense, and regional stability discussions, signalling UK engagement in Gulf state mediation efforts and maritime security interests.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2016
WireKing Charles and Queen Camilla made state visit to Oman