Oman's sultan begins four-day state visit to UK

MUSCAT — Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik departed for the United Kingdom on Monday for a four-day state visit, according to Anadolu Agency, citing the Oman News Agency (ONA). He is scheduled to meet King Charles III during the trip.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of the British monarch. According to Anadolu Agency, it aims to strengthen long-standing relations between Oman and the UK and to expand cooperation across several sectors.

A statement from Oman's Diwan of Royal Court, issued on Saturday, said the two leaders are also expected to discuss regional and international developments. They will also explore ways to improve bilateral coordination, the statement said, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

The sultan is travelling with a high-level delegation. It includes Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said and Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.

The British Royal Family announced that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the state visit at Windsor Castle from October 20 to 22, according to the same report.

Anadolu Agency said the visit is the first state visit by an Omani ruler to the UK since March 1982. That was when the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Background

Anadolu Agency reported that Oman and the UK have maintained diplomatic and economic relations for more than two centuries. Cooperation covers defence, trade, investment and education. The two countries marked the 225th anniversary of their 1800 bilateral agreement last year.

According to the same report, King Charles visited Oman four times as Prince of Wales. His most recent visit there was in January 2020, following the death of Sultan Qaboos. In July 2025, the king received Sultan Haitham for a private meeting at Windsor Castle during the sultan's earlier visit to the UK.