Windsor, UK — King Charles III of the United Kingdom hosted a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday in honour of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between Oman and the UK and their cooperation in diplomacy, defence, trade and education.

Queen Camilla, members of the British Royal Family, senior officials and the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan attended the banquet.

In his address, King Charles welcomed His Majesty, describing Oman as one of Britain’s oldest allies and closest friends, with a relationship shaped by centuries of maritime links and shared interests.

“It is always a treasured moment to receive such dear and old friends on a special visit such as this,” the king said, adding that he and the queen took great pleasure in welcoming His Majesty back to Windsor Castle.

Tracing the relationship to the era of Omani maritime trade across the Indian Ocean, King Charles said the friendship had evolved through successive centuries, from maritime and treaty partnerships to strategic cooperation and military ties.

“Today, in the 21^st century, we are bonded by diplomacy, defence, trade and trust,” he said.

The king recalled his many visits to Oman and his acquaintance with the country’s late leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, whom he described as a dear friend and brother. He praised Sultan Qaboos for transforming Oman while preserving its ancient culture and pursuing a foreign policy based on openness and dialogue.

King Charles also commended His Majesty the Sultan’s efforts to strengthen state institutions and diversify Oman’s economy under Vision 2040, highlighting the importance placed on education, skills and young people in driving the country’s future growth and innovation.

Referring to the regional situation, the king recognised Oman’s role as a trusted interlocutor and its efforts to keep open one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Oman’s commitment to dialogue and what His Majesty the Sultan has described as “constructive neutrality”, he said, was important well beyond the Strait of Hormuz and deserved the international community’s respect.

The king also highlighted military cooperation between the two countries, expressing pride in the officers who serve in both nations and gratitude for Oman’s hospitality towards British Armed Forces. He noted the importance of the relationship between Oman’s Armed Forces Association and British veterans who had served in the sultanate.

Looking to the future, King Charles pointed to the growing links between the next generation, including the Prince of Wales and H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, who have become joint patrons of the Jewel of Arabia expedition.

He said the partnership extended across cultural organisations, education, science, investment and trade, with people from both countries continuing the work of earlier generations in strengthening bilateral ties.

The king also acknowledged the challenges facing future generations, including climate change, the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, and growing competition for resources. He said trusted friends would remain essential to defending peace and international law, while balancing innovation with responsibility.

Referring to the treaty signed by Oman and Britain in 1800, King Charles recalled the hope expressed by their predecessors that the friendship between the two states would remain “unshook till the end of time”.

More than two centuries later, he said, the promise had been fulfilled through generations of enduring connections between the two countries.

In his address, His Majesty the Sultan thanked the king for his gracious words and the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

He described Windsor Castle as a place reflecting the UK’s rich history and enduring traditions, and recalled how the voyages of Omani seafarers and British ships had brought the two countries closer centuries ago.

“Today, the ship of our friendship continues to sail on, whatever storms may come,” His Majesty said.

He noted that the relationship had been formally established through the 1800 treaty, which expressed the hope that friendship would endure until the sun and moon completed their revolving course.

“More than 220 years have passed. The sun and the moon still revolve. And that friendship still stands, unshaken,” he said.

His Majesty said mutual respect remained central to bilateral ties, particularly in defence and military cooperation. Omani and British forces had served alongside one another for generations, training together and exchanging knowledge and experience. Omani officers had studied at British military academies, while British officers had served in Oman, building a relationship of trust that went beyond formal agreements.

His Majesty also highlighted education as a bridge between the two peoples, noting that young Omanis continued to study at British institutions across a wide range of disciplines. Their experiences, he said, helped strengthen links between the countries and build lasting connections between their people.

He welcomed the role of the British Council, the growth of English-language schools and the prospect of more British educational institutions in Oman. British tourists visiting the sultanate to discover its history, culture and natural attractions also contributed to these exchanges.

His Majesty further welcomed the Prince of Wales’s agreement to join H H Sayyid Theyazin as a patron of the British Omani Society.

Trade and investment remained important pillars of the relationship, His Majesty said, noting that Britain had long been among Oman’s largest trading partners and the largest contributor to foreign direct investment.

Addressing the region’s conflicts, His Majesty said Oman had chosen an independent path centred on dialogue, understanding and peace.

“A wise nation chooses to listen. Oman has chosen to listen. And in that listening, we have found a strength that armies cannot provide,” he said, adding that the country believed in diplomacy and the patient work of bringing nations together.

His Majesty also praised King Charles’s commitment to young people, environmental protection and interfaith dialogue, describing these as values shared by Oman and principles that continued to guide its leadership and international engagement.

His Majesty the Sultan concluded by offering a prayer for the king’s health and long life and for the continued friendship between the two nations.