Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

The Omani authorities and its folks reacted to Thursday evening’s passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the UK of Nice Britain and Northern Eire and Head of the Commonwealth, with profound anguish and disappointment.

Beloved of hundreds of thousands at dwelling and overseas, the late Queen had a deep and particular reference to Oman, as exemplified by the honest heat, affection and esteem shared by the nation’s Royal Households for one another. This was mirrored within the unbridled graciousness with which the 2 nations acquired one another’s monarchs whereas on state visits, replete with pageantry and shows of real cordiality. It’s the power of this royal friendship – strong, private and enduring – that has come to characterise the connection between the Sultanate of Oman and the UK over the previous 5 many years.

Below the respective reigns of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Stated and Queen Elizabeth II, relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the UK blossomed and prospered immensely. The UK is at present the most important supplier of International Direct Funding (FDI) into Oman, with bilateral ties having diversified to embody cooperation in political, navy, financial, cultural and different aspects of the connection.

Whereas the inspiration of this particular relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and the UK have been collectively laid by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Stated and the late Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik — whose hyperlinks with the British royal household and with the UK normally are equally deep-rooted — has seamlessly sustained and nourished these fraternal ties within the curiosity of the 2 nations and their peoples.

A highpoint in royal relations between the 2 nations got here in 2010 when the British Monarch travelled to Muscat for the primary time, accompanied by the late Duke of Edinburgh. The go to was characterised by nice pleasure, festivity and pageantry that mirrored the appreciation and admiration that the respective monarchs had for one another.

Extra not too long ago, in December 2021, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik met with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Citadel throughout a personal go to to the UK. A ultimate tribute of affection got here in Could this yr when, on the path of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Omani Royal Cavalry took half within the Royal Windsor Horse Present held within the UK on the event of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II.

Whereas an period in royal relations between Oman and the UK might come to an finish with the unhappy passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, her legacy will proceed to maintain and encourage fraternal ties between the 2 nations for many years to return.