Ruling family of Muscat

This file relates to the Ruling Family of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. It contains correspondence concerning:

• The education of the Sultan's son Qaboos Bin Saeed, including the possibility of Eric Deuchars providing preliminary accommodation and education at his home in Bexhill-on-Sea prior to potential enrolment at Millfield School
• The travel arrangements for Sultan Saeed Bin Taimur's private visit to the UK via Aden; and provisional arrangements for the visit, including plans to meet the Queen
• The opinion of R W Highwood Deputy Commissioner at the British Council that educating future Rulers in alien surroundings is potentially problematic
• B A B Burrows's assessment of the Sultan's character, including the Sultan's regret at taking HMG's advice not to drive the Saudis out of Buraimi by force in 1952 and his attitude towards race, religion, and international affairs
• Impressions of the Sultan gained by HMG during various negotiations with him
• A rumour that there is a movement to persuade the Sultan to abdicate in favour of his son
• The Sultan's renewed wish to appoint an English secretary and HMG's consideration of the advisability of this.