Prince and Princess of Wales dazzle as they join King hosting Sultan of Oman at glittering State Banquet - with royals bidding to put 'distraction' of Harry's latest interview behind them
The Prince and Princess of Wales dazzled at King Charles's state banquet for the Sultan of Oman on Tuesday night - just hours after Prince Harry's interview insisting he wants to reconcile with his family.
The monarch was accompanied by William and Catherine, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said and his retinue in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle.
Kate wore an ethereal pale yellow Ellie Saab gown with a cape detail and train, which she paired with her favourite Lover's Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth.
William was dressed for the occasion in a white tie with the Windsor tail coat, his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George and other medals and decorations.
Camilla looked regal in a purple chiffon dress by Fiona Clare, while Charles sported the Sash of the Order of Al Said, an honour given to him by the Sultan of Oman earlier in the day.
One hundred and sixty guests were invited to dine on Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab, pot roasted Windsor pheasant and stuffed cabbage, individual baked Alaskas with Balmoral Plum and Windsor Estate honey ice cream.
It came hours after the King's youngest son Harry insisted he wants to reconcile with his family, while denying he was taking a 'swipe' at his brother William when declaring: 'Some people don't want it to work out.'
The Duke of Sussex, who has not spoken to William for four years, admitted in an interview with GQ that he is grieving his 'complicated relationships' with the King and the Prince of Wales.
The Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the state banquet for the Sultan of Oman
The Princess of Wales dazzles in a yellow gown for the special event on Tuesday night
King Charles, the Sultan of Oman and Queen Camilla on Tuesday night's banquet
A portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the event at Windsor Castle
The Princess Royal and the Duke of Gloucester ahead of the state banquet
The Sultan and King Charles share a laugh at the banquet
Kate smiles during the banquet while sitting at the table for dinner
Pomegranate from Windsor Castle gardens form decorations for the banquet
Charles spoke of the importance of the friendship between Britain and Oman at a time of 'painful' conflict in the Middle East.
And amid the continuing drama around Harry, he told the Sultan of Oman of his pride that both 'our sons' - William and the Crown Prince of Oman - had become joint patrons of the Jewel of Arabia expedition, a cultural and environmental trek through the region last year.
'Your Majesty, there can be few happier symbols of success than a living relationship being passed from one generation to the next,' he said.
His speech came at the end of a damp but successful day as the Sultan arrived at Windsor Castle at the start of a three-day State Visit.
Oman is one of Britain's oldest and most trusted allies in Arabia and the British government requested the state visit to emphasise trade, military and cultural links at a perilous time in the region.
Toasting his guests at the banquet, Charles said it was a 'treasured moment to receive dear and old friends'.
'Oman is one of Britain's oldest allies and, after all these years, I pray, one of your closest friends,' he said.
He said he had been 'immensely fortunate and blessed' to have come to know Oman well over many visits and praised both the late Sultan's 'inspired leadership' and the present leader's 'energetic and far-sighted leadership'.
Turning to the current conflict, he said: 'I would especially like to recognise, at a time when conflict has returned so painfully to the region, Oman's enduring commitment as a trusted interlocutor to all parties.'
And referring to the Strait of Hormuz he said: '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.
'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 unique and special relationship we share helps to make the world and our peoples safe.'
The King also highlighted the environmental challenges facing both countries and the 'promise and peril' of AI.
He concluded: 'Your Majesty, I hope this State Visit shows the importance the United Kingdom attaches to Oman, its monarchy and institutions, and to our friendship with you personally. '
King Charles poses before the state banquet for the Sultan of Oman
King Charles makes a speech in which he talks about friendship during the event
The Princess of Wales at the state banquet for the Sultan of Oman
Kate wore an ethereal pale yellow Ellie Saab gown with a cape detail and train
The Princess of Wales and H.E. Sayyid Khalid Hilal Al Busaidy walk in procession to the state banquet
Britain's King Charles delivers a speech at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle
The King Charles III cypher imprinted into salt on the banquet table
Tuesday night's 50 metre long table, which runs the whole length of the room, was laid with 480 knives, 480 forks, 160 spoons and the Grand Service, commissioned by George IV, which runs to more than 4,000 silver-gilt pieces.
In a touching tribute, the centre 12-light St George and the dragon candelabra, commissioned by William IV in 1833, was decorated with pomegranates grown on a tree planted by the late Duke of Edinburgh around 50 years ago on the East Terrace.
The unseasonably warm summer has caused it to fruit so staff decided to use them as decorations, although they are not not be consumed afterwards as they are inedible.
For the first time the salt on the table has been imprinted with the King's royal cypher.
Among the guests are athlete Mazoon Al Alawi and sailor Mohsin Al Busaidi. It is also Andy Burnham's first state banquet as Prime Minister.
It came after Charles rolled out a rather soggy red carpet earlier on Tuesday as senior royals welcomed the Sultan - described as one of the world's 'most discreet billionaires' - to the castle for his State Visit.
On Tuesday night, the King served up a cocktail inspired by an Omani ritual meaning 'hospitality'.
The post-state banquet drink is based on a spiced coffee traditionally shared in Oman, with dates as a gesture of friendship, and has been 'reimagined' by the team at Windsor Castle.
The beverage has been adapted through a 'distinctly British lens', drawing on the nation's long-standing love of tea while preserving the aromatic spices and flavours that make Kahwa so distinctive: fragrant cardamom, delicate rose, sweet dates, and gentle warming spices.
These notes have been woven together with British teas and Windsor honey for a non-alcoholic treat.
Guests were invited to choose from an Iced Earl Grey & Date, an Iced Mint & Rose, or a Warm Cardamom-Spiced Blend sweetened with Windsor Honey.
One hundred and sixty guests have been invited to dine on Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab
Cutlery on the grand table for tonight is the castle's finest
The flower selection included handpicked seasonal flowers from the gardens at Buckingham Palace.
During Harry's interview today, the Duke was asked directly whether he really wanted to heal the rift with his brother and father. Harry replied: 'Of course I do. With everything else that's going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile. That's the key point.'
But in remarks widely interpreted as a dig at William, he added: 'Some people don't want it to work out. I want it to work out.'
Hours after the interview was published, a Sussex spokesman insisted the remark was not aimed at his older brother as speculation mounted over who Harry was referring to.
He said: 'It was absolutely not intended as a swipe at his brother or any other member of his family.
'The comment was made in a general context and was not directed at his family in any way.'
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