The Princess of Wales took on a slightly altered role during Tuesday's state visit of the Sultan of Oman in Windsor, arriving at the royal dais separately rather than joining the initial welcome party.
Princess Catherine, dressed in a forest-green coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a matching hat by British milliner Juliette Botterill, waited at the covered dais on Datchet Road alongside the King and Queen. The Prince of Wales had earlier greeted the Sultan at his residence and accompanied him on the short journey to Windsor.
Arrival and Greeting
Because the Sultan was not accompanied by his wife, the Princess arrived with the King and Queen from Windsor Castle. The King removed his top hat to greet the Sultan, offering a wide smile as he shook his hand, while Catherine performed a deep curtsey under the dais.
In the pouring rain, the royals and their guests boarded ornate horse-drawn enclosed carriages for the procession through Windsor's streets to the castle, where a ceremonial welcome was held in the quadrangle.
Carriage Procession
The Sultan joined the King in the Irish State Coach, chatting side by side. Charles was seen patting down his hair after brief exposure to the drizzle. The Queen followed in the Scottish State Coach with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for defence affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said.
William and Kate rode in the Australian State Coach with the Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, and the secretary general of the diwan of the royal court, Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al Said.
