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The British royal family hosted its first state banquet in several months on Tuesday evening, welcoming the Sultan of Oman to Windsor Castle for a formal dinner marking the start of a two-day state visit. However, there was at least one notable absence as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, did not attend the gala. This also marks the second one she has missed this year following the Nigerian state banquet in March.

windsor, england october 20 sophie, duchess of edinburgh stands with members of the oman delegation viewing a display of items from the royal collection in the green drawing room at windsor castle, castle during the state visit of the sultan of oman to the uk on october 20, 2026 in windsor, england sultan haitham bin tarik, sultan of oman, is on a threeday state visit to the uk photo by aaron chown wpa poolgetty imagesWPA Pool//Getty Images

The Duchess observes some of the exhibits with members of the delegation.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, along with Prince Edward, had appeared at Windsor earlier in the day, taking part in a reception for the Sultan, his family, and other members of the delegation in the Green Drawing Room. There, the royals viewed a collection of items on display for a special exhibition. Some of the display cases appear to have included paintings, as the Princess of Wales was reportedly overheard saying, “These were painted by His Majesty. He’s a very good watercolorist.”

Sophie’s absence at the banquet comes amid a busy stretch in her schedule. In late September, she visited The Hague for the International Civil Society Action Network’s Women, Peace and Security Forum, where she met with women peace-builders from more than 40 conflict-affected countries. Sophie serves as the royal family’s representative for the United Nations’ Women, Peace and Security agenda, a portfolio that has taken her across Europe and beyond in recent weeks. Before that, Sophie traveled to England’s West Midlands for a memorial event for the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Duchess also visited Zambia in late September for a six-day royal tour focused on women’s entrepreneurship, wildlife conservation, and healthcare.

State Visit By The Sultan Of Oman To The UK - Day 1WPA Pool//Getty Images

Sophie was also seen wearing her favorite Diamond Rose Brooch.

The Sultan of Oman’s tour began earlier on Tuesday with the formal ceremonial welcome that traditionally opens all British state visits. The program included the standard elements of such occasions: an inspection of the guard of honor, an exchange of formal greetings, and private meetings between the Sultan and King Charles. Further engagements are scheduled for Wednesday, including additional meetings between the two heads of state and events designed to highlight the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Oman.

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Rachel King (she/her) is a news writer at Town & Country. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at @rk.passport.