The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were absent from the state banquet hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening as part of the Oman state visit. The couple, who had participated in earlier elements of the visit, were unable to join the white-tie and tiara event due to a prior commitment and were recovering from their recent foreign visit.
Royal Attendance and Menu
The King was accompanied by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and the Duke of Gloucester at the banquet held in St George's Hall. Several politicians were also present, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who attended his first state banquet since entering No 10 this summer.
Guests were served a three-course meal of Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab, Windsor pheasant with spiced quince, and baked Alaska. In a break from royal tradition, no cocktail was served, but a selection of teas was offered after dinner, inspired by the Omani ritual of Kahwa, a spiced coffee.
Earlier State Visit Events
Earlier on Tuesday, the King and Queen welcomed the Sultan of Oman to Windsor with a carriage procession, Guard of Honour and gun salutes. William greeted the Sultan at his residence and accompanied him to Windsor, where he was officially welcomed at the Royal dais on Datchet Road.
Despite heavy downpours, the royal party travelled in a carriage procession through the Berkshire town, waving to well-wishers who lined the streets. Upon arrival at the quadrangle, the Sultan inspected the Guard of Honour, and the ceremony concluded with a march past. The royal party then proceeded inside for a private lunch in the State Dining Room and a special exhibition of Royal Collection items.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are scheduled to travel to Finland at the start of next week.
