Princess Anne Shines in Meander Tiara at Oman State Banquet
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, attended the state banquet for Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening, wearing her signature Meander Tiara. The 76-year-old royal joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and other senior royals at the glittering event, which marked the first state visit by an Omani sultan to the UK since 1982.
Anne paired the bandeau-style tiara—also known as Princess Alice's Meander Tiara or the Greek Key Tiara—with a structured gold gown featuring a high collar, long bell sleeves, and an A-line skirt. She accessorized with a delicate gold and diamond necklace, matching drop earrings, white opera-length gloves, and a metallic clutch. Her vibrant blue sash, adorned with King Charles's royal order, completed the ensemble. The Princess Royal was accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and walked in with Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
A Tiara with Royal History
The Meander Tiara was created in the early 1900s for Princess Alice of Battenberg, Prince Philip's mother. It features a distinctive Greek key design and was reportedly gifted to Alice by her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. Anne has worn the tiara since the 1960s, making it one of her three go-to tiaras, alongside the Festoon Tiara and the Queen Mother's Cartier Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, wore the Meander Tiara as her "something borrowed" on her wedding day in 2011. Anne also chose the piece for the Nigeria State Banquet earlier this year.
A Glittering Diplomatic Affair
The banquet, held in St George's Hall, welcomed 160 guests, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham—marking his debut state banquet since taking office—MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli, Omani Olympic athlete Mazoon Al Alawai, and Olympic sailor Mohsin Al Busaidi. The event highlighted the long history of military cooperation between the UK and Oman, including a strategic British base at the Omani port of Duqm. King Charles and Sultan Haitham were expected to discuss global security and bilateral ties.
Windsor as the New State Banquet Venue
Windsor Castle has become the setting of choice for state banquets while Buckingham Palace undergoes a major renovation program expected to be completed by 2027. The castle has hosted several high-profile affairs this year, including banquets for French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, as well as for U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in 2025. The last Omani state visit in 1982 was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
Royal Watchers Treated to a Tiara Parade
The evening offered a showcase of royal jewels. Queen Camilla wore the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, paired with a royal blue gown. The Princess of Wales chose her signature Lover's Knot Tiara with a sweeping butter yellow gown featuring a sheer cape. Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, wore the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara, which features a pink kunzite stone at its center. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, did not attend the banquet, though she and Prince Edward welcomed the sultan at Windsor Castle during the afternoon.
A Fashion-Forward Princess
Princess Anne is known for her practical approach to royal fashion, often repeating outfits and tiaras. Her choice of the Meander Tiara underscores its status as her most precious and frequently worn diadem. The Princess Royal's appearance at the banquet reaffirms her role as a steadfast working member of the royal family, supporting King Charles at major diplomatic events. As the UK deepens its ties with Oman, the royal family's display of pageantry and tradition serves as a soft-power tool, reinforcing Britain's global relationships.
The state visit continues with further engagements expected in the coming days, though details have not been announced. For now, the images of Princess Anne in her trusted tiara will linger as a highlight of the Oman state banquet, a moment where history, diplomacy, and royal style converged.
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