Kate and Queen Camilla Master Diplomatic Dressing for Oman State Visit — The Elegant Details You Might Have Missed

The Prince and Princess of Wales have welcomed the Sultan of Oman to Windsor for a three-day state visit to the UK, with both Kate and Camilla dressing in the colours of the Oman flag

Prince William and Princess Kate have joined the King and Queen to welcome the Sultan of Oman to Windsor for a three-day UK state visit. The Prince of Wales kicked off the official welcome this morning as he greeted the Oxford-educated and former businessman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said at the Omani ruler’s residence in London, as they travelled together to Windsor.

Charles, Camilla and the Princess of Wales were waiting for the Sultan on the special dais in the town centre of Windsor for an official greeting. The King was dressed in top hat and tails, while Camilla wore a red wool crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare, hat by Philip Treacy and ruby and diamond flower brooch – with the colour seemingly a nod to the Omani flag, as was Kate’s dark green coat dress.

The King, Queen, William and Kate braced the drizzly autumn weather on the dais, as Charles took off his top hat to greet the Sultan, giving him a wide smile as he shook his hand following the Omani ruler’s arrival. Kate smiled and gave a deep curtsey as she also shook Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said’s hand in the royal line-up.

The royals then joined the Sultan for a carriage procession through Windsor to the castle. Charles was seen to pat down his hair as he sat in the carriage alongside Oman leader as the Household Cavalry readied their horses for the start of the short journey.

The Queen followed in the second carriage – the Scottish State Coach – accompanied by Oman’s deputy prime minister for defence affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said. The Prince and Princess of Wales were in the third carriage – the Australian State Coach – with the deputy prime minister for economic affairs Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said and secretary general of the diwan of the royal court Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al Said.

Arriving at Windsor Castle, a ceremonial welcome and inspection of the Guard of Honour in the quadrangle took place. It is believed the Sultan then joined the royals for lunch inside the castle, before viewing exhibits from the Royal Collection.

Later tonight, William and Kate will join the King and Queen once more as they don their most glamorous formal wear for a state banquet inside St George’s Hall, as is tradition with incoming state visits.

Tomorrow, the Sultan will be farewelled by the King and Queen before heading back to London, where he will hold talks with prime minister Andy Burnham in Downing Street, against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The King met the Oxford-educated Omani Sultan last July for tea at Windsor Castle during the foreign head of state’s private visit to the UK. During their meeting, the two men reviewed the deep-rooted historical relations between their two nations.

Their discussions focused on how to enhance cooperation across various fields to serve mutual interests and future visions, while fulfilling the aspirations of both countries.

The last state visit by a Sultan of Oman to the UK was in March 1982 when Queen Elizabeth Il hosted Oman’s previous leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Charles has made four official visits to Oman, the last in January 2020 when he travelled to Muscat to offer condolences after the death of Sultan Qaboos. The Prince and Princess of Wales have also visited the Middle Eastern country, as they made the trip in 2016 for a two-day visit.

The last State Visit took place in March this year, when the King and Queen welcomed the President and First Lady of Nigeria to the UK. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, undertook a three-day visit to Britain, where they were met by the Prince and Princess of Wales for an official welcome.