From its sparkling table decorations to the Omani-inspired cocktails and royal guest list, Charles’s state banquet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday night was fit for a king.
The monarch, accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other working royals, hosted the Sultan of Oman and 160 other guests for the feast at St George’s Hall this evening.
Guests were invited to indulge on Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab, pot roasted Windsor pheasant and stuffed cabbage, individual baked Alaskas with Balmoral Plum and Windsor Estate honey ice cream.
The meal was washed down with a variety of wines, although Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said toasted with a soft drink.
Tuesday night’s 50 metre long table, which ran the whole length of the room, was laid with 480 knives, 480 forks, 160 spoons and the Grand Service, commissioned by George IV, which runs to more than 4,000 silver-gilt pieces.
The centre 12-light St George and the dragon candelabra, commissioned by William IV in 1833, was decorated with pomegranates grown on a tree planted by the late Duke of Edinburgh around 50 years ago on the East Terrace.
Guests included athlete Mazoon Al Alawi, sailor Mohsin Al Busaidi and Andy Burnham, in what marked his first state banquet as Prime Minister.
The Daily Mail takes a look at all the details from Tuesday night’s glittering event, from the Royal procession to the menu, flowers and music.
The table was laid with 480 knives, 480 forks, 160 spoons and the Grand Service
The Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the state banquet for the Sultan of Oman
King Charles, the Sultan of Oman and Queen Camilla at the banquet
The Royal Procession
The King The Sultan of Oman
H.H. Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said Queen Camilla
The Prince of Wales Ms Dina Macki
H.E. Sayyid Khalid Hilal Al Busaidy The Princess of Wales
H.E. Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi The Princess Royal
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence Ms Dee Caffari
The Duke of Gloucester Dr Elisabeth Kendall
H.E. Dr. Hamad Said Al Oufi The Duchess of Gloucester
H.H. Sayyid Shahib bin Tarik Al Said Mrs Margaret Harwood-Jones
H.H. Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al-Said The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Smith of Basildon
H.E. Gen Sultan Mohammed Al Nomani Mrs. Laura Pye
H.E. Sayyid Hamood Faisal Al Busaidi The Baroness von Westenholz
Mr. Scott McDonald Dr Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani
H.E. Hussain Ali Abdullatif The Rt. Hon. Dame Emily Thornberry
H.E. Anwar Hilal Al Jabri The Countess of Kinnoull
H.E. Badr Mohammed Al Mantheri The Lady True
The Princess of Wales and H.E. Sayyid Khalid Hilal Al Busaidy walk in procession to the state banquet
Queen Camilla and H.H. Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said walk in procession to the event
Menu
Tartine au Crabe et Langoustine d’Ecosse, Céleri, Avocat et Gelée de Tomate
Croute of Scottish Langoustine and Cornish Crab with Avocado, Tomato consommé, and Celery
Faisan du Windsor Poêlé en Cocotte, Coing aux épices
Chou Farci, Pommes Fondantes
Sauce à la Moutarde de Dijon
Pot Roasted Windsor Pheasant with Spiced Quince
Stuffed Cabbage and Braised Fondant Potatoes in a Dijon Mustard Sauce
Selection of assorted seasonal vegetables Omelette Norvégienne
Individual Baked Alaska with Balmoral Plum and Windsor Estate Honey Ice Cream
One hundred and sixty guests were invited to dine on Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab
Cutlery on the grand table was the castle’s finest
Britain’s King Charles delivers a speech at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle
Wine List
Langham, Blanc de Blancs
Chassagne-Montrachet, Premier Cru ‘Morgeot’, Marquis de Laguiche, Joseph Drouhin, 2023
Château Margaux, Premier Grand Cru Classé, 1979
Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger, 1998
Flowers
The flowers include handpicked seasonal flowers from the gardens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park
Music
A BOYCE SUITE (I & II) Boyce arr. Benoy
PRELUDE FROM TE DEUM Charpentier arr. Edwards
TRAUMEREI (NO.7) Schumann arr. Longfield
MANNHEIM Martin
HORNPIPE FROM ‘WATER MUSIC SUITE’ Handel arr. Naughtin
TONIGHT Bernstein arr. Longfield
A THOUSAND YEARS Hedges, Perri arr. Moore
SHALLOW Various arr. Wedge
TETRIS RAGTIME Page arr. Phillips
MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS Handel arr. Urbanczyk
CLOCKS Coldplay arr. Longfield
A MILLION DREAMS Pasek and Paul arr. Dennis
LIBERTANGO Piazzolla arr. Kazik Music
HUMORESQUE Dvorak arr. Kember
WELSH LULLABY (SUO-GAN) Trad. arr. Martin
CAPRIOL SUITE (I, II) Warlock
AMAZING GRACE Trad arr. Naughtin
LA LA LAND (MUSIC FROM) Hurwitz arr. Longfield
SWEET AFTON Trad arr. Leavitt
ALLEGRO IN G FROM CONCERTO FOR TWO GUITARS Vivaldi arr. Frackenpohl
BRANDENBURG CONCERTO NO. 3 Bach arr. Naughtin
Captain Alexandra Nixon
Director of Music
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra
The Sultan and King Charles share a laugh at the banquet this evening
Kate smiles during the banquet while sitting at the table for dinner
A portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the event at Windsor Castle this evening
The Princess Royal and the Duke of Gloucester ahead of the state banquet
The Princess of Wales dazzles in a yellow gown for the special event this evening
Pipe Programme
March: ARTHUR BIGNOLD OF LOCHROSQUE
Strathspey: DORRATOR BRIDGE
Reel: KALABAKAN
March: BEIDH AONACH AMARACH
Pipe Major James Bell
1st Battalion The Scots Guards
