STATE VISIT: THE KINGS OF SPAIN HOST A GALA DINNER FOR THE SULTAN OF OMAN AT THE ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID

Spain’s Royal Palace hosted a night of diplomacy and elegance led by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia hosted a state banquet at Madrid’s Royal Palace on Tuesday night in honor of Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking the first official visit of the Omani monarch to Spain since his accession to the throne in 2020.

The evening concluded a day of high diplomatic ceremony that began with an official welcome at the Palace’s Armory Courtyard. The visit underscores the strengthening of bilateral ties between Spain and Oman, as well as the Gulf nation’s growing role as a regional mediator in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Sultan, who succeeded his cousin Qaboos bin Said Al Said after his death in 2020, embarked on this European tour as part of an international diplomatic initiative. In Madrid, he was received with full military honors and attended several engagements, including a luncheon at the Royal Palace and a meeting at Zarzuela Palace earlier in the day.

The gala dinner, the first of its kind at the Royal Palace since Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit in 2023, was attended by more than 130 guests. During his speech, King Felipe emphasized the “shared commitment to dialogue, peace, and cooperation” between Spain and Oman, making a brief reference to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. The Sultan also addressed the audience, highlighting the historic friendship and mutual respect between both nations.

While the visit carried strong diplomatic weight, much of the public attention focused on Queen Letizia’s appearance. The Spanish consort captivated guests and social media alike in a cobalt-blue satin gown by Spanish fashion house The 2nd Skin Co., previously worn during a state dinner in Amsterdam in April 2024. The dress featured romantic bow details on the sleeves and a voluminous skirt, combining traditional elegance with a modern silhouette.

The Queen complemented the ensemble with one of the royal collection’s most symbolic pieces: the Russian Tiara, originally created for Queen Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine in the late 19th century. The piece, inspired by the kokoshnik style of Imperial Russia, added a historical dimension to her look. Letizia also wore diamond earrings that once belonged to Queen Sofía, gifted decades ago by Sultan Qaboos, as a gesture of continuity and homage to the Omani royal lineage.

Adding to the ceremonial significance, the Omani monarch presented Queen Letizia with the Order of Oman, a new decoration that now forms part of her royal insignia. The medal, featuring white, green, and blue enamel details, was pinned to her gown during the dinner.

The event marked the restoration of full state protocol at the Spanish royal residence after a two-year hiatus, combining diplomatic formality with moments of warmth and personal connection. Observers noted the evident rapport between the two monarchs and the poised yet affable demeanor of the Spanish royal couple.

For Queen Letizia, the night also symbolized the revival of traditional royal glamour in an era defined by modern restraint a reminder that diplomacy, at times, is spoken through the language of elegance and symbolism as much as through words.