{"id":660812,"date":"2026-10-20T23:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T23:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/660812\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T23:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T23:00:12","slug":"sophie-duchess-of-edinburgh-misses-the-oman-state-banquet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/660812\/","title":{"rendered":"Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh Misses the Oman State Banquet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated2 min read<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"windsor,WPA Pool\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Duchess observes some of the exhibits with members of the delegation.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> overheard saying, \u201cThese were painted by His Majesty. He\u2019s a very good watercolorist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophie\u2019s absence at the banquet comes amid a busy stretch in her schedule. In late September, she visited The Hague<\/a> 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\u2019s 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\u2019s West Midlands<\/a> for a memorial event for the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Duchess also visited Zambia in late September<\/a> for a six-day royal tour focused on women\u2019s entrepreneurship, wildlife conservation, and healthcare.<\/p>\n

\"StateWPA Pool\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Sophie was also seen wearing her favorite Diamond Rose Brooch.<\/p>\n

The Sultan of Oman\u2019s tour began earlier on Tuesday with the formal ceremonial welcome<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\"Play\"Video\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Rachel King (she\/her) is a news writer at\u00a0Town & Country. Before joining\u00a0T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at\u00a0Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in\u00a0Forbes,\u00a0Observer,\u00a0Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and\u00a0Cool 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\u00a0@rk.passport<\/a>.<\/p>\n