Kate Middleton Wears Green as Royals Host Sultan of Oman at State Visit

The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the King and Queen at the centre of the royal welcome on Wednesday as the Sultan of Oman began his State Visit to the United Kingdom.

William and Catherine travelled to Windsor to welcome Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said alongside Their Majesties, marking the start of a three-day visit focused on strengthening trade, diplomatic, military and cultural links between Oman and Britain.

Despite the drizzly autumn conditions, King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales gathered beneath the covered royal dais on Datchet Road as preparations got under way.

The arrival ceremony began with a royal salute from the assembled Sovereign’s Escort, followed by the national anthem performed by a military band.

The King appeared in traditional top hat and tails, while Queen Camilla chose a red wool crepe coat and dress by Fiona Clare, paired with a Philip Treacy hat and a ruby-and-diamond flower brooch. The vivid shade appeared to echo the colours of the Omani flag.

Charles removed his top hat and greeted the Sultan with a broad smile before warmly shaking his hand after the Omani leader arrived.

Catherine wore a dark green Sarah Burton coat for Alexander McQueen and a hat by Juliette Botterill. She smiled and performed a deep curtsey before shaking Sultan Haitham’s hand during the formal royal welcome.

The Guard of Honour stood in two lines before the royal dais. The formation included about 100 guardsmen and officers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Storm Green.

The King addressed the visiting head of state in Arabic, asking whether he would inspect the servicemen assembled for the parade.

Charles then accompanied the Sultan and the senior officer as the Omani leader walked past both ranks of soldiers.

The Sultan had first been welcomed on behalf of the monarch by Prince William at one of the King’s private UK residences before the pair travelled on to Windsor together.

Under a change from the traditional protocol, Kate did not join William for that initial greeting and instead remained with the King and Queen at the ceremony.

The planned adjustment was made because the Sultan is not being accompanied by his wife during his stay.

In the pouring rain the royals and their guests then stepped into the ornate coaches – without umbrellas.

The Sultan joined the King in the Irish State Coach for a horse-drawn carriage procession through the streets of Windsor to the castle, ready to attend the ceremonial welcome in the quadrangle.

KEEP READING: Airman Killed After 150-Foot Fall Into College Football Game Identified

Charles was seen to pat down his hair as he sat in the carriage 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. 

Taking in Thames Street High Street, Park Street and the castle’s Cambridge Gate – with the route lined by an impressive display of all three Armed Forces – the procession entered through the George IV Gateway into the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.

The Military Knights of Windsor will be in position at the Sovereign’s Entrance with a detachment of the Household Cavalry, along with the King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.

A Guard of Honour, formed by the Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards, with the Royal Standards of the Regiment and the Band of the Scots Guards, will be mounted in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.

The Guard of Honour will give a royal salute and the regimental band will play the Omani and British National Anthems as the carriage procession arrives.

Following a private lunch in the State Dining Room, joined by Members of The Royal Family, Their Majesties will invite the Sultan to view a special exhibition of items relating to Oman from the Royal Collection, in the Green Drawing Room.

In the evening, His Majesty, accompanied by the Queen and members of the Royal Family, will give a glittering State Banquet at Windsor Castle for the Sultan – the highlight of which will undoubtedly be the ladies’ gowns and tiaras.

The King and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will deliver speeches at the beginning of the banquet.

The present Sultan acceded to the throne in 2020 following the death of his cousin, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, becoming the 15th ruler of the Al Bu Said dynasty which has ruled Oman since the mid-18th century.

He has also been called ‘one of the most discreet billionaires alive’.

The Sultan is married with four children, although his wife is not accompanying him on this State Visit.

The ruling Omani family has enjoyed good relations with the British Royal Family and the Sultan has met the King and Queen on several occasions previously. Oman is considered one of Britain’s oldest friends in Arabia.

One of the Sultan’s main challenges is seen to be the need to oversee Oman’s transition from over-reliance on oil revenues to a diversified economy.