King Charles has praised Oman’s “noble efforts” in trying to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
The royal family hosted the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, along with 160 guests in St George’s Hall on Tuesday night.
It is the first state visit by a Sultan of Oman to the UK since 1982, when the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the current Sultan's cousin, at Buckingham Palace.
The visit comes amid the United States’ ongoing war against Iran, which has seen the Strait, a vital shipping route close to Oman’s coast, a key pinch point.
Iran has repeatedly declared the Strait closed during the war, saying that it will not reopen until the US agrees to deals proposed by Tehran.
Oman is a key ally of the UK in the Middle East.
Charles, on Tuesday night, praised Oman’s “constructive neutrality” during the war.
“I would especially like to recognise, at a time when conflict has returned so painfully to the region, Oman’s enduring commitment as a trusted interlocutor to all parties,” he said.
He praised Oman’s “noble efforts” to keep the shipping route open.
“Oman’s role across the Gulf and her ‘constructive neutrality’, as you put it, matters far beyond Hormuz, and is worthy of our utmost respect,” he said.
Guests, including Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, Princess Anne, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and senior Cabinet members, enjoyed a Scottish crab and langoustine starter, Windsor pheasant main and baked Alaska for dessert.
In his speech, the Sultan spoke about Oman’s role in the Middle East crisis, saying that the region had known “too much” conflict.
“Oman has chosen a different path, an independent path; we take positions for dialogue, for understanding and for peace,” he said.
“A wise nation chooses to listen. Oman has chosen to listen. And in that listening, we have found a strength that armies cannot provide.
“We seek solutions. We believe in diplomacy, in dialogue, and in the patient work of bringing nations together. This is our heritage.
“Britain has been a friend on this path, and has stood beside us in this duty, not with armies, but with wisdom.”
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