Oman’s Sultan Haitham Delivers Historic Speech at Windsor Castle State Banquet with King Charles III

Oct 20, 2026 | Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik praises the enduring friendship between Oman and Britain during a state banquet at Windsor Castle. He highlights military cooperation, education, trade, British investment and Oman’s commitment to dialogue and peace, reaffirming the historic partnership between the two nations.

Finishing Touches ahead of Tonight’s State Banquet… ✨

Tonight, The King and Queen will host a State Banquet for the Sultan of Oman at Windsor Castle. Inspired by the Omani ritual of qahwa, a collection of special teas will be served.

While qahwa is traditionally a spiced coffee, the concept has been adapted to draw on the long-standing British love of tea while preserving the aromatic spices and flavours that make qahwa so distinctive: fragrant cardamom, delicate rose, sweet dates, and gentle warming spices.

Guests will be invited to choose from an Iced Earl Grey & date, an iced mint & rose, or a warm cardamom-spiced blend sweetened with Windsor honey. Together, they reflect the warmth and hospitality shared by both Omani and British traditions.

Take a peek here.

Behind Castle Walls, the Rich and Powerful Celebrate Trump

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The seating chart at the state dinner for President Trump was a cross-section of the rich and the powerful hoping to get on his good side.

As beggars’ banquets go, this one was pretty rich.

There they sat, side-by-side, some of the wealthiest, most influential and best connected people in the world, all together at one long table inside a nearly-thousand-year-old castle. The guest of honor was in the middle of the table, wearing white tie, looking happier than ever. He was being treated like a king by an actual king.

The state dinner that King Charles III hosted for President Trump on Wednesday night at Windsor Castle seemed like a new apex for Mr. Trump: a glittering showcase of the powerful outdoing themselves to get (or remain) on the good side of a president whose second term has been marked by demonstrations of brute power. Those demonstrations have increasingly taken the form of retribution against perceived enemies at home and tattered alliances abroad.

“The bond between our two nations is indeed a remarkable one,” said Charles. “In renewing our bond tonight, we do so with unshakable trust in our friendship and in our shared commitment to independence and liberty.”

The president seemed supremely pleased by the whole thing; he didn’t look the least bit bothered when the king used his speech to gently prod about environmental issues and the need to support Ukraine.

Mr. Trump got up and cooed: “It’s a singular privilege to be the first American president welcomed here.” (Other U.S. presidents have been welcomed at Windsor — including Mr. Trump in his first term — albeit not at a state dinner. Usually these dinners happen at Buckingham Palace back in London, but that old pile is undergoing renovations.) » | Shawn McCreesh and Maggie Haberman | Shawn McCreesh reported from Windsor Castle and Maggie Haberman from London. | Wednesday, September 17, 2025

“The banquet table was also lined with power brokers from the worlds of technology, finance and media.” Take a peek here.

TATLER: All the Best Photographs from the Star-studded State Banquet at Windsor Castle for French State Visit

The King and Queen hosted a dazzling star-studded state banquet at Windsor Castle in honour of President Macron of France. President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs Brigitte Macron are currently in Britain in the first visit State Visit made by France in 17 years.
View the stunning photos on TATLER here.

The Funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh

The Funeral procession and service for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

BBC live HERE »

Trump Arrives at Windsor Castle for Meeting with the Queen

Kuwaiti Emir al-Sabah Begins UK State Visit
BBC: The Queen has welcomed the Emir of Kuwait to the UK for a three-day state visit.

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah is staying at Windsor Castle, where a state banquet will be held on Tuesday.

Sheikh Sabah, 83, will have a private audience with the Prince of Wales, and meet British industry leaders at an event hosted by the Duke of York.

He will also hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. It is the first state visit from Kuwait for 17 years.

Sheikh Sabah was greeted by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles in the centre of Windsor near one of the town's two stations as well-wishers looked on.

They then returned to the castle in a carriage, with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment providing an escort. (+ video) » | Tuesday, November 27, 2012

François Hollande en tête à tête avec la reine Elizabeth

LE FIGARO: Le chef de l'État a partagé mardi «une tasse de thé» avec la reine d'Angleterre au château de Windsor, près de Londres.

«Maintenant le président est invité pour une tasse de thé avec la reine», avait annoncé mardi après-midi le premier ministre britannique David Cameron, pour conclure une conférence de presse commune avec le président de la République.

Elizabeth II avait invité François Hollande au château de Windsor, près de Londres. Chacun des deux parlant la langue de l'autre, leur tête-à-tête de trente minutes s'est déroulé sans traducteur. Seuls deux photographes ont été autorisés, au début de l'entretien, à immortaliser cette rencontre. » | Par lefigaro.fr | mercredi 11 juillet 2012


lePARISIEN.fr: EN IMAGES: Hollande chez la reine Elisabeth »

lePARISIEN.fr: VIDEO. Tapis rouge pour Hollande à Londres : Pour sa première visite de président, François Hollande a eu droit à une franche explication avec le Premier ministre David Cameron… et à un tête-à-tête cordial avec la reine. » | Eric Hacquemand, envoyé spécial du Parisien à Londres | mercredi 11 juillet 2012