// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Royals roll out red carpet for visiting Sultan
Catherine showed the Sultan of Oman items from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor
The King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, were part of a colourful ceremonial welcome for the Sultan of Oman as his state visit to the UK begins.
The red carpet was rolled out in Windsor for the ruler of Oman, which is an important strategic partner in the Middle East against the backdrop of the conflict with Iran.
It has been seen as a diplomatic bridge between the West and Iran and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said will be given the full soft power treatment from his royal hosts.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will join the Omani visitors at a spectacular state banquet on Tuesday evening, ahead of political discussions at Downing Street on Wednesday.
The Sultan of Oman inspected the guard of honour with King Charles
The Prince and Princess of Wales are in Windsor to meet the Omani delegation
Prince William greeted the Sultan on Tuesday morning, the pair sheltering under umbrellas.
Waiting to formally welcome the Omani delegation were the King and Queen and the Princess of Wales, before they all travelled in a carriage ride to Windsor Castle.
State visits are a mix of pageantry and politics, with the carefully choreographed hospitality providing an opportunity for talks about important strategic alliances and to promote military and business links.