King Charles is throwing a spectacular state banquet for the Sultan of Oman in Windsor Castle's vast St George's Hall, pulling out all the stops to entertain 160 guests at the key diplomatic event.
Tonight marks the first time a Sultan of Oman has visited the UK for 44 years. Queen Elizabeth II last hosted the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said – the current Sultan's cousin – at Buckingham Palace in 1982.
The event is also the first incoming state visit since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the UK, but since they are not working royals, they do not take part in official royal engagements.
It comes just hours after the Duke of Sussex laid bare his relationship with the royal family in a bombshell interview, where he claimed he "wants it to work out" and mend his rift with his family but alleged others "don’t want to".
Unaffected by the drama, the Prince and Princess of Wales were the picture of poise as they arrived at the glittering reception alongside the monarch and his wife Queen Camilla.
Also in attendance were the Prrincess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Other prominent figures in attendance include Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who will be attending a state banquet for the first time since taking office, and MI6 boss Blaise Metreweli, along with Omani Olympic athlete Mazoon Al Alawai and Olympic sailor Mohsin Al Busaidi.
All the best photos from the state banquet at Windsor Castle
© Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive in style
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a loving look as they made their way into the banquet hall. Princess Catherine stole the show in an Elie Saab dress paired with her favourite Lover's Knot Tiara.
Prince William, meanwhile, looked smart in a Windsor tailcoat, worn with the Most Noble Order of the Garter and sash with the Lesser George.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla host Sultan of Oman
King Charles posed for a photograph alongside Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Queen Camilla. The monarch was wearing the Order Al Said, an order he was given today by the Sultan.
Camilla looked regal in midnight blue, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Originally a wedding gift to Queen Mary in 1893, this iconic diamond headpiece became one of Queen Elizabeth II's most frequently worn pieces.
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Princess Catherine's look up close
Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast came to mind as Princess Catherine arrived in a showstopping yellow gown.
The striking design by Lebanese designer Elie Saab featured a deep V neckline and a beautiful sheer cape trailing behind her. She paired the ensemble with her go-to tiara: Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara.
The royal accessorised with the late Queen's earrings and bracelet, along with the King Charles II Royal Family Order, GCVO Sash and Star.
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King Charles delivers a passionate speech
Charles spoke proudly about his son William as he hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said at the start of his state visit. In a passionate banquet speech, Charles said there can be "few happier symbols of success" than watching a relationship passed between generations, a clear reference to the Prince of Wales and Sayyid Theyazin, who were joint patrons of an Omani expedition.
The King told the Sultan: "Our connections matter deeply and, in this regard, I have been especially delighted to see our sons, the Prince of Wales and His Highness Sayyid Theyazin, become joint patrons of the Jewel of Arabia Expedition."
The two royal heirs were the figureheads of the expedition, a 30-day journey on foot, by camel and by 4×4 staged last year through Oman, following the route of British explorer Bertram Thomas in 1928.
Charles added: "Your Majesty, there can be few happier symbols of success than a living relationship being passed from one generation to the next."
Deep in conversation
The monarch spoke in Arabic, quoting poetry in an ancient form of the language and modern Arabic to greet the Sultan with the words "Welcome to a visitor of whom one never tires".
He also delivered his thoughts on the future, warning about the dangers of AI: "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.
"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."
© POOL/AFP via Getty Images
A banquet fit for a king
Fun fact: it takes staff 30 minutes to light all the candles on the 50 m-long table for tonight's dinner, which has been laid with 480 knives and 480 forks, 160 spoons, 124 cruet spoons and 288 pieces of service cutlery.
One member of staff has to climb onto the table to reach the tallest candelabra.
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Personal floral arrangements at Windsor Castle
In a nod to the UK's unusual string of heatwaves, table decorations include pomegranates harvested from a tree planted on the castle’s East Terrace by the late Prince Philip 50 years ago.
The flowers chosen to decorate the table include handpicked dahlias, roses, hydrangea, cyclamen and verbena, all plucked from the gardens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.
© Greg Williams
Behind the scenes photo
Princess Catherine and Prince William posed for a behind-the-scenes photograph ahead of departing for the banquet. "Ready for tonight’s State Banquet in Windsor," the image was captioned.
The stunning black-and-white portrait was taken at Frogmore House this evening by photographer Greg Williams.
Why is the Sultan of Oman visiting the UK?
Oman remains a crucial Middle Eastern ally for the UK, making this state visit particularly significant as US-Iran hostilities persist near the Strait of Hormuz – a major shipping route off Oman's coast.
The UK and Oman have a long history of military cooperation, including a strategic British base at the Omani port of Duqm.
According to regional media, King Charles and Sultan Haitham are set to discuss global security and ways to strengthen ties between their nations.