The key facts

  • Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik arrived on a four-day state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III.
  • King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the visit at Windsor Castle from 20 to 22 October.
  • This is the first state visit by an Omani ruler to the UK since Sultan Qaboos's visit to Queen Elizabeth II in March 1982.

State visit to the United Kingdom

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik flew to the United Kingdom on Monday on a four-day state visit, during which he is to meet King Charles III. This was reported by the Oman News Agency (ONA), citing the Royal Court Diwan. The visit is taking place at the invitation of the British monarch and is aimed at strengthening the long-standing relations between the two countries and expanding cooperation in various fields.

Programme and delegation composition

According to the Diwan, the leaders will also discuss regional and international developments and ways to deepen bilateral coordination. The Sultan is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, and Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. The British Royal Family announced that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the state visit at Windsor Castle from 20 to 22 October.

Historical context of relations

The visit will be the first state visit by an Omani ruler to the United Kingdom since March 1982, when the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Diplomatic and economic ties between Oman and the United Kingdom span more than two centuries and cover defence, trade, investment and education. Last year, the two countries marked the 225th anniversary of the bilateral agreement of 1800. Charles III, as Prince of Wales, visited Oman four times — most recently in January 2020 following the death of Sultan Qaboos. In addition, in July 2025 the King received Sultan Haitham for a private meeting at Windsor Castle during the Omani leader's visit to the United Kingdom.