"Derrière la grandeur de la monarchie, les princes Harry et William sont des frères incapables de retrouver un chemin de retour l'un vers l'autre"

King Charles III praised the developing friendship between his son, Prince William, and the heir to the throne of Oman during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The King’s comments came hours after Prince Harry published an interview in GQ magazine regarding the fractured relationships within the royal family. During the dinner, which hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said of Oman, Charles described the bond between William and Sayyid Theyazin as a rare symbol of diplomatic success passing from one generation to the next. The state visit marks a three-day official engagement for the Sultan, who arrived in the United Kingdom to strengthen ties with a key Middle Eastern ally. The timing of the visit coincided with the release of Harry’s interview, in which the Duke of Sussex stated that he wanted the family situation to resolve itself, though he claimed other parties did not wish for it to happen. A representative for Harry maintained that the remarks were not intended as a criticism of his brother, despite the proximity of the publication to the high-profile royal event. Inside the banquet hall at Windsor Castle, approximately 160 guests attended the formal dinner. The attendees included Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and senior cabinet members. The menu featured a Scottish crab and langoustine starter, followed by a main course of Windsor pheasant, and concluded with baked Alaska for dessert. After the meal, guests were served an after-dinner beverage inspired by the Omani ritual of Kahwa. Royal chefs adapted the traditional aromatic spiced coffee using British teas and Windsor honey, offering variations such as Earl Grey with date, iced mint and rose, and a warm cardamom-spiced blend sweetened with honey. In his address, Charles acknowledged Oman’s role in maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane near the Omani coast. With the conflict involving the United States and Iran ongoing, the King described Oman’s efforts to keep the strait open as a great service to the international community. He addressed the Sultan in Arabic, citing poetry in both ancient and modern forms of the language to offer a welcome that expressed enduring respect for the visitor. The central theme of Charles’s speech focused on the continuity of alliances. He noted that neither he nor the Sultan could predict the specific challenges facing their successors, mentioning climate change, artificial intelligence, and resource competition as potential threats to the international order. However, he asserted that future leaders would rely on trusted friends and allies capable of defending peace and international law while managing innovation with stewardship. Charles specifically highlighted the partnership between William and Sayyid Theyazin, who serve as joint patrons for the Jewel of Arabia Expedition. This project involves a 30-day journey on foot, by camel, and by vehicle through Oman, retracing the route taken by British explorer Bertam Thomas in 1928. The King called the relationship a happy symbol of success, emphasizing the importance of carrying diplomatic connections across generations. Outside the formal proceedings, attention turned to the dynamic between Prince William and Princess Kate. Video footage from the arrival ceremony circulated widely on social media platforms, capturing a moment where Kate performed a traditional curtsy toward her husband. Observers noted that she appeared to ask him if he was okay during the interaction. Commentators interpreted the gesture as evidence of a supportive and attentive marriage, noting her dark green outfit and composed demeanor. The Prince and Princess of Wales later shared photographs from the visit on social media, captioning them with a statement expressing their pleasure in welcoming the Sultan to Windsor. While the focus remained on the state visit, the backdrop of the Harry-William rift continued to dominate public discourse. Reports indicate that the two brothers remain estranged, a divide that has persisted since their mother’s death. The contrast between the public display of unity at Windsor and the private tensions revealed in Harry’s interview created a complex narrative for observers. Some analysts suggested that the King’s emphasis on generational bonds was a deliberate signal of stability amidst the controversy. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is scheduled to hold separate talks with the Sultan on Wednesday. The broader context of the visit includes strategic discussions regarding regional security and trade routes. The presence of senior government officials alongside the royal family underscored the political significance of the trip beyond its ceremonial aspects. The reaction to the evening’s events varied between diplomatic appreciation and familial scrutiny. While the official program proceeded according to plan, with military displays and carriage rides marking the start of the visit, the underlying tension regarding the Sussex branch of the family lingered. The King’s choice to highlight the positive relationship between William and the Omani heir stood in sharp contrast to the unresolved issues within his immediate family. As the state visit progresses, the interplay between these personal dynamics and national diplomacy remains a focal point for both domestic and international audiences.