Kate entertains Omani royals in a £260 midi dress alongside William and Charles after Harry spoke out to say he wants reconciliation with family

Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, engaged in diplomatic attire changes during the first day of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said’s state visit to the United Kingdom, occurring concurrently with public statements from Prince Harry regarding family reconciliation. At Windsor Castle, the Princess wore a £260 Norma Kamali midi dress in a deep green shade for an exhibition viewing, having previously appeared in an emerald Alexander McQueen coat and matching Juliette Botterill fascinator. Her choice of clothing aligned with the colors of the Omani flag. She accessorized with a black quilted Chanel bag, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and Cassandra Goad earrings valued at £3,830. Pinned to her lapel was a 160-year-old diamond and emerald brooch originally belonging to Princess Diana, which King Charles gifted to her in 2022. The state visit marks the first occasion in 44 years that a Sultan of Oman has visited Britain in a state capacity. The previous such visit occurred in 1982, when Queen Elizabeth II hosted Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the current ruler’s cousin, at Buckingham Palace. The three-day itinerary includes a state banquet, meetings with government officials, and discussions on trade and security. The visit takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway bordering Oman. During the state banquet held in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, King Charles III addressed approximately 160 guests, including Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The King praised Oman’s constructive neutrality and its noble efforts to maintain the openness of the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that Oman’s role in the Gulf matters far beyond the immediate area and is worthy of utmost respect. Speaking partly in Arabic, the King acknowledged Oman’s enduring commitment as a trusted interlocutor to all parties amidst regional conflict. He highlighted the personal connection between the families, noting that Prince William and the Sultan’s son, Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham, served as joint patrons of the Jewel of Arabia expedition. This project retraced the 1928 coastal route of British explorer Bertram Thomas. The King stated that passing a living relationship from one generation to the next serves as a symbol of successful partnership. Sultan Haitham responded by emphasizing Oman’s preference for dialogue and peace over military confrontation. He stated that while the region has experienced excessive conflict, Oman chose an independent path focused on listening and diplomacy. The Sultan described Britain as a friend that has supported Oman not with armies, but with wisdom. He expressed belief in the patient work required to bring nations together, citing this approach as part of Oman’s heritage. The diplomatic atmosphere was complicated by comments made by Prince Harry in an interview with GQ magazine. The Duke of Sussex, who has not spoken to his brother William for four years, stated that he is grieving his complicated relationships with the King and the Prince of Wales. When asked if he wished to heal the rift, Harry replied that reconciliation is the most important goal. However, he added that some people do not want the situation to resolve. These remarks were initially interpreted as directed at William, but a spokesperson for the Sussexes clarified that the comment was not intended as a criticism of his older brother. On the practical side of the visit, business leaders gathered at the Guildhall in London to discuss opportunities arising from the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council trade agreement signed earlier in the year. Haitham Al Salmi, chief executive of the Muscat Stock Exchange, identified facilitating investment between the UK and Oman as a major mandate of the trip. Omani and British officials are scheduled to sign a series of agreements on Wednesday. Security and strategic interests form a central pillar of the discussions. Oman, a former British protectorate that gained independence in 1951, maintains strong military ties with the UK. Royal Air Force personnel continue to serve in various roles within the Omani air force, and the British Navy base at Duqm supports UK operations in the Arabian Gulf. Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with the Sultan on Monday to receive updates on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The two leaders discussed recent peace talks held in Pakistan and urged both sides of the conflict to avoid further escalation. The Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the UK remains committed to ensuring Oman’s security. Historical context underscores the significance of the jewelry worn by the Princess. The diamond and emerald brooch features a cabochon teardrop emerald pendant suspended from an oval of diamonds containing the three-feathered insignia of the Prince of Wales. Below the diamond-studded coronet, a banner bears the motto Ich Dien, meaning I serve. The piece was originally presented as a wedding gift to Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863 by the Ladies of Bristol when she married Albert, Prince of Wales. After Alexandra’s death, the jewel passed to her daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, and subsequently to the Queen Mother. It was then given to Diana upon her marriage to Charles in 1981. Diana transformed the brooch into a necklace, wearing it to a gala in Vienna in 1986 during a state visit to Austria. Following Diana’s death in 1997, the item reverted to the monarch, as such jewels are considered the property of the crown. The menu for the state banquet featured Scottish crab and langoustine as a starter, followed by Windsor pheasant as the main course, and baked Alaska for dessert. The day concluded with the Sultan presenting the King with the Order of Al Said, which the King wore during the evening proceedings. The visit continues with further political and economic engagements designed to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.