King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom are scheduled to embark on a four-day state visit to Kenya later this month, as officially announced by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The palace statement detailed that the royal couple’s visit will take place from Tuesday, October 31 to Friday, November 3, with the primary aim of celebrating the strong and dynamic partnership between the two nations.
This visit comes at the invitation of President William Ruto, coinciding with Kenya’s 60th anniversary of gaining independence from Britain. Notably, this marks King Charles III’s first official visit to a Commonwealth country since ascending to the throne. It is particularly significant because Queen Elizabeth II’s reign commenced in Kenya in February 1952.
Throughout their stay, King Charles and Queen Camilla will explore various regions, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and its environs. Their official program underscores the collaborative efforts between Kenya and the United Kingdom in areas such as promoting mutual prosperity, addressing climate change, fostering youth opportunities and employment, advancing sustainable development, and ensuring regional stability and security, as highlighted by Buckingham Palace.
The royal couple will have meetings with President Ruto, First Lady Rachael Ruto, government officials, United Nations personnel, CEOs, representatives of faith communities, young individuals, and the Kenyan Marines who are training alongside the UK Royal Marines.
King Charles will also participate in an event commemorating the life and work of the late Nobel Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai, alongside Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai. Furthermore, the visit will acknowledge the historical complexities in the relationship between the UK and Kenya, including the period of the Emergency (1952-1960), with King Charles III using the visit to gain a deeper understanding of the injustices faced by the Kenyan people during that time.
Additionally, Their Majesties will pay their respects by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Uhuru Gardens and visiting the site where Kenya declared its independence in 1963.
The palace statement also revealed that King Charles III’s agenda includes attending a technology showcase, hosting a reception focused on Kenya’s young population and future leaders, visiting the Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa, and meeting with faith leaders from Mombasa. King Charles has previously visited Kenya in 1971, 1978, and 1987, and both he and Queen Camilla have made private visits to the country. This visit underscores the monarchy’s commitment to fostering strong ties within the Commonwealth.