King Charles hails Oman's 'noble efforts' to keep the Strait of Hormuz open at a Windsor Castle state banquet
King Charles III with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, whose visit Burnham has hailed as 'a friendship which generates real benefits' for both nations.King Charles III with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said at Windsor Castle, ahead of the Sultan's talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on a two-way investment deal marking Burnham's first state-visit diplomacy in office.Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (left) and King Charles III at Windsor Castle, as the Sultan's UK visit is expected to include signing a maritime security pact amid the Strait of Hormuz closure.The King and Queen welcome the Sultan of Oman to Windsor Castle. King Charles praised Oman's 'constructive neutrality' and spoke Arabic at the state banquet.The Prince and Princess of Wales welcome the Sultan of Oman. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to sign a two-way investment deal with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said at Downing Street today.Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales during the Sultan of Oman's state visit. The Strait of Hormuz — effectively closed since February — is expected to dominate talks between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Sultan…
Speaking partly in Arabic at Windsor Castle, the King praised Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said's 'constructive neutrality' as 'worthy of our utmost respect'. The Strait has been effectively shut since US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Tehran says it will stay closed until Washington accepts its terms. Andy Burnham and the Sultan are expected to sign investment and maritime security pacts today.
It is the first state visit by a Sultan of Oman to Britain since 1982.
The King called Oman 'one of Britain's oldest allies' and a 'trusted interlocutor to all parties'.
He praised William for joining the Sultan's son on the Jewel of Arabia expedition.
