King Charles III and his wife Camilla are set for their state visit to Kenya as the country prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.
The King and Queen’s visit to Kenya from Tuesday, October 31, to Friday, November 3, 2023, will be an administrative arrival with the formal ceremonial greeting in its capital, Nairobi, as the two countries continue to forge a strong, dynamic partnership.
Kenya got her independence from Britain on December 12, 1963, and the two countries have since enjoyed a close relationship despite the violent colonial legacy of the Mau Mau rebellion, which led to a period known as the Emergency from 1952 to 1960.
During the visit, his Majesty will acknowledge the painful aspects of the United Kingdom’s (UK) and Kenya’s shared history and take time to deeply understand the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya.
The King’s Deputy Private Secretary, Chris Fitzgerald, said that during the visit, their majesties will meet President Ruto, the first lady, members of the Kenyan government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders, and Kenyan marines training with UK Royal Marines.
Charles and Camilla’s state visit included their visit to Nairobi National Park to learn about the Kenya Wildlife Service’s conservation work.
They will also watch Kenyan marines trained by the Royal Marines stage a mock covert beach landing when they visit Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa.
Fitzgerald added that the royal couple’s program will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education, and innovation.
Kenya has a unique association with the British royal family because it is in this country that Queen Elizabeth II was informed of the death of her father, King George VI.
The then princess was making an official visit with the Duke of Edinburgh Phillip to Kenya and was staying at the Treetops Hotel, a lodge deep in the Aberdare National Park, when the King died on February 6, 1952.