King Charles has spoken of his pride in his heir Prince William at a state banquet held in honour of the Sultan of Oman. The Prince and his Omani counterpart, Crown Prince Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, were among 160 guests at St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.
Charles told the Sultan: "Our connections matter deeply and, in this regard, I have been especially delighted to see our sons… become joint patrons of the Jewel of Arabia Expedition.
© Jordan Pettitt / POOL / AFP via Getty Images"There can be few happier symbols of success than a living relationship being passed from one generation to the next."
William and the Crown Prince, who sat together at the dinner, backed a 30-day mission to showcase Oman’s natural heritage and biodiversity in 2024.
Charles, who delivered parts of his speech in Arabic, continued: “Your Majesty, neither of us can know precisely what challenges our successors will face. Despite our constant efforts, climate change will regrettably alter the lands and seas they inherit.
“Artificial intelligence holds both promise and peril – unless managed with great wisdom and foresight. Competition for resources will test the international order in ways we cannot yet foresee.
© Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty ImagesThe King continued: “But this much we do know. Our successors will rely on trusted friends. They will need allies prepared to work together across difference; to defend peace and international law; to marry innovation with stewardship; and to think not merely about the next year, but about generations to come.”
The strength of Britain's relationship with Oman
Recognising the strength of Britain’s relationship with Oman, one of Britain’s oldest allies, Charles said: “It is always a treasured moment to receive such dear and old friends on a special visit such as this.”
Recalling his four previous visits to the kingdom, he added: “I seem to remember trying to paint the breathtaking landscape of Oman, a landscape which was well-described by the great fourteenth Century explorer Ibn Battuta as being ‘most striking in beauty’.”
© Jordan Pettitt / POOL / AFP via Getty ImagesThe King paid tribute too, to “Oman’s enduring commitment as a trusted interlocutor to all parties" in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which has impacted neighbouring countries in the Middle East and has blocked the Strait of Hormuz.
"Oman’s noble efforts in trying to keep open one of the world’s most important shipping routes have been of great service to the whole international community, and particularly to the most vulnerable of those affected,” he said.
He went on: “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.”
The alliance between the UK and Oman dates back to 1798, the first treaty of its kind between Britain and a Gulf Arab state. The two countries are very closely connected on defence, with British and Omani forces regularly carrying out joint military exercises.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe UK also has a military base at the Port of Duqm to support Royal Navy operations in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
The billionaire, Oxford-educated Sultan of Oman owns at least two residences in the UK, but will stay at Windsor Castle overnight before the King and Queen bid him a formal farewell on Wednesday.
