Princess Anne and Duchess of Gloucester wear tiaras at Windsor banquet

160 Guests Attend Windsor Castle State Banquet for Sultan of Oman

One hundred sixty guests gathered at Windsor Castle as King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said of Oman for a glittering state banquet. The high-profile diplomatic gathering brought together senior members of the British royal family just hours after Prince Harry published an interview in New York stating his desire to reconcile with his family.

The monarch used his banquet speech to praise Oman’s diplomatic mediation and efforts to keep shipping lanes open through the Strait of Hormuz. Seated in St George’s Hall, the King spoke of the strategic partnership between the two nations, delivering parts of his address in Arabic to honor the visiting head of state.

Royal Tiaras Shine at St George’s Hall

The Princess of Wales arrived at the Windsor state apartments wearing the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, a replica of another, as noted by townandcountrymag.com. She paired the sparkler with an ethereal pale yellow Ellie Saab gown featuring a cape detail and train.

Other senior royals also drew attention with their traditional accessories. Princess Anne wore the Meander Tiara, an heirloom created for Prince Philip’s mother that the Princess Royal has worn since the 1960s, while Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, wore the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara featuring a pink kunzite stone at its center, according to townandcountrymag.com.

Diplomatic Toasts and Historical Table Settings

Because the visiting Sultan does not consume alcohol due to his Islamic faith, traditional banquet cocktails were replaced with non-alcoholic spiced coffee and tea blends. Guests could choose from iced Earl Grey and date, iced mint and rose, or a warm cardamom-spiced blend sweetened with honey.

The 50-meter-long banquet table featured 480 knives, 480 forks, 160 spoons, and pieces from the Grand Service commissioned by George IV. Vibrantly red pomegranates picked from a tree planted by the King’s late father 50 years ago adorned the center of the table alongside gilded candelabras.

King Highlights Family Ties Before Downing Street Meeting

The King’s speech highlighted family continuity by referencing Prince William and the Sultan’s son, Sayyid Theyazin, who previously worked together as joint patrons of the Jewel of Arabia expedition. The monarch remarked that a living relationship passed from one generation to the next serves as a symbol of success.

Following the Windsor banquet, the Sultan’s itinerary continues on Wednesday with a scheduled meeting at Downing Street with the prime minister.

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