King Charles showed off his gallant side when he politely offered to lend the Sultan of Oman his umbrella on Tuesday.
The monarch, joined by Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales, didn't let the autumnal downpours dampen his spirits as he made conversation with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said during a wet start to his state visit to the UK.
© GettyFollowing a horse-drawn carriage procession to Windsor Castle and a ceremonial welcome in the quadrangle, King Charles and the Sultan were forced to step out from underneath the covered dais and brave the rain.
The king was seen politely nudging his guest and offering him the use of his unopened umbrella, which he declined to use. Watch the candid royal state visit interaction in the video above.
Despite never actually opening his umbrella to prevent getting wet, Charles was spotted patting down his hair after his brief exposure to the drizzle.
© GettyA rainy state visit for Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said
The Oxford-educated Sultan joined the King in the Irish State Coach, exchanging friendly words as they chatted as they sat side by side.
The Queen followed in the second carriage, accompanied by Oman’s deputy prime minister for defence affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said.
William and Catherine travelled behind in the third carriage, with the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, and secretary general of the diwan of the royal court, Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al Said.
© GettyIn a change to the usual arrangements - due to the Sultan not being accompanied by his wife on the visit - Princess Catherine arrived at the royal dais alongside the King and Queen.
Haitham bin Tarik Al Said's state visit marks the first by a Sultan of Oman to the UK for 44 years. Queen Elizabeth II last hosted the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said – the current Sultan’s cousin – at Buckingham Palace back in 1982.
Tonight, there will be a special state banquet hosted by His Majesty and members of the royal family at Windsor. Charles and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik are expected to deliver speeches at the beginning of the banquet.
