King Charles III commended Oman’s role in promoting peace in the Middle East as Sultan Haitham bin Tariq commenced the first state visit by an Omani ruler to the United Kingdom in 44 years. The visit, which began on Tuesday, underscores the longstanding diplomatic, military, and royal ties between the two nations.
During a banquet held at Windsor Castle attended by about 160 guests, including business leaders and members of the British royal family, King Charles praised Oman’s efforts to mediate tensions in the region, particularly highlighting Muscat’s attempts to help reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The monarch described Oman as a “trusted interlocutor to all parties,” recognizing its “constructive neutrality” amid the recent conflict between the United States and Iran that erupted earlier this year.
The sultan’s visit comes amid heightened Middle East turbulence stemming from the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with Oman playing a key role as a mediator. The Sultan, educated at Oxford University, began his three-day visit with a royal welcome alongside the king, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Windsor. This included a private lunch and a viewing of Royal Collection artefacts related to UK-Omani relations.
On Wednesday, Sultan Haitham held talks at Downing Street with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who emphasized shared priorities such as economic growth, security, defense, and education in the context of a complex global environment. Downing Street announced that the two leaders were set to sign an agreement designed to increase bilateral investment, building on the existing UK-Oman Sovereign Investment Partnership. The agreement aims to stimulate investment across multiple sectors, including renewable energy, technology, critical minerals, space, healthcare, and financial services.
King Charles also highlighted the enduring military cooperation between the two countries, noting Britain’s long-term strategic presence in Oman, including joint training exercises and the use of the port town of Duqm as a base for UK forces.
Prime Minister Burnham, who attended Tuesday’s banquet alongside senior executives from Shell, BP, and Airbus, reiterated the importance of strengthening ties in various arenas. The visit marks a significant milestone in UK-Oman relations, reflecting mutual respect and a commitment to collaboration amid ongoing regional challenges.