'Visible security presence' for state visit
Getty ImagesThere will be a "visible and enhanced police and security presence" in Windsor next week for the state visit of the Sultan of Oman.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from 20 October until 22 October.
Thames Valley Police's (TVP) Ch Supt Adrian Hall said airspace restrictions are part of the "robust security operation" that has been put in place.
"As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning and preparation has gone into this event," he added.
There is always a permanent airspace restriction around Windsor Castle.
On 20 October this will be extended from 07:00 BST until 00:00 to provide "enhanced security measures", TVP said.
The Sultan last visited the King in July 2025 for tea and a private meeting at Windsor Castle.
The last state visit for a Sultan of Oman to the UK happened in March 1982, when Queen Elizabeth II hosted Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He died in 2020.
Getty ImagesThe Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said road closures, between 09:00 and 15:00 on 19 October and 20 October, will include:
- Castle Hill
- B470 (including River Street, Thames Avenue, Datchet Road, King Edward VII Avenue and Windsor Road)
- Barry Avenue
- Thames Street
- High Street
- Park Street
- Sheet Street
- St Alban's Street
The council's following car parks will not be available between 07:00 and 17:00 on both days:
- Home Park
- King Edward VII Avenue
- River Street
- Romney Lock
All of its other car parks will be open as normal, it said.
The Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber said in September that the region has been "short-changed" when Windsor has hosted previous state visits.
In March, he said Thames Valley Police (TVP) would not be paid £900,000 for costs it incurred during Donald Trump's visit to Windsor Castle in September 2025.
The Home Office said it had reimbursed TVP for "additional police costs" for previous visits and would do so for others in the future.
