The ongoing Nigerian state visit signifies King Charles’ inaugural hosting responsibilities for an international leader in 2026. In line with customary state visits, a lavish state banquet is being held at Windsor Castle tonight in honor of the Nigerian president and First Lady, attended by various senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The menu for the banquet, disclosed by the Palace, showcases the diverse Nigerian culinary traditions. A special mocktail, inspired by a classic Nigerian beverage, has been crafted for the King’s banquet as part of hosting the first state visit by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in almost a century. The non-alcoholic post-dinner drink, named Crimson Bloom, pays homage to Nigerian flavors.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the UK marks the first incoming state visit by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in almost a century, a period when many Muslims observe fasting from dawn to sunset. To accommodate the holy month of Ramadan, adjustments have been made at the banquet in St George’s Hall. Canapes will be served prior to dinner to provide sustenance to Muslim guests who could not partake in iftar earlier at sunset.
A royal aide mentioned, “The visiting president observes Ramadan and is a Muslim, so we have made some adaptations to today’s events. While guests staying in the castle are breaking their fast, we acknowledge that some attendees will have iftar while traveling, so a prayer space has been arranged upon arrival.” Additionally, canapes will be served for the first time before the banquet to ensure guests have sustenance post-speeches before the banquet starts at 9 o’clock.
A designated prayer room has been established in the castle for fasting guests, and the menu includes fish as the main course instead of traditional meat dishes. The main course features fillet of turbot, lobster mousse wrapped in spinach, accompanied by various sauces and vegetable sides, including sprouting broccoli, peas, broad beans, and Jersey royal potatoes.
The starter comprises a vegetarian soft-boiled quail egg tartlet with watercress and kale, served with basil sabayon, while the dessert is an iced blackcurrant souffle with red fruit coulis. The president will offer a toast with orange juice, followed by a twist on the classic Nigerian cocktail, the Chapman, customized for the occasion.
The bespoke after-banquet cocktail introduced by the King at state dinners typically contains alcohol. However, in consideration of fasting guests, a non-alcoholic option has been provided. Wine was served to guests who consume alcohol, with a sparkling English wine used for toasts.
This event also marks the King’s first spring banquet at Windsor Castle during his reign. The banquet setting features a 47-meter mahogany table adorned with an array of pink, white, and yellow blooms, including narcissi, hyacinths, tulips, primroses, and hellebores sourced from gardens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.
The First Lady, known as Remi, is a Christian and an ordained Pentecostal pastor. The Islamic holiday, Eid-al-Fitr, commencing tomorrow evening, will mark the end of Ramadan, coinciding with the departure of the president and his wife from the UK. As part of the state visit tradition, gifts were exchanged between the Nigerian and British officials, symbolizing friendship and diplomacy.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, attendees of the banquet, warmly received the Nigerian leader and First Lady upon their arrival in Windsor earlier today. The princess donned a grey coat dress by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker, who recently showcased at London Fashion Week, while the King made a surprise appearance at the designer’s presentation.
Charles and Camilla greeted the Nigerian delegation in the pleasant spring weather, with the royal couple escorted to a red-carpeted platform outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station by William and Kate to commence the official proceedings.