State visit by Charles III to Kenya

King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and his wife Queen Camilla made a state visit to Kenya from 31 October to 3 November 2023, hosted by the President of Kenya William Ruto and his wife, Rachel.^[1] The visit marked Charles's first visit to a Commonwealth country since becoming head of the Commonwealth.^[2]

Background

Kenya, a former British colony, marked the 60th anniversary of it's independence in 2023.^[2] Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was in Kenya at the time of her accession in 1952 following the death of her father King George VI.^[3] Charles's visit occurred amidst calls for an official apology over Britain's colonial past.^[4]

The visit was preceded by a reception hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on October 24 to mark the 60th anniversary of Kenya's independence from the United Kingdom.^[5]

Visit

Charles and Camilla arrived in Nairobi on the night of 30 October.^[6]

31 October

Charles and Camilla were greeted upon arrival at the State House, the official residence of the president, by President Ruto and the First Lady.^[7] The King then went to Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum and laid a wreath ^[8]

In the evening, the Rutos hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla for a state banquet. In his speech, the King referred to Britain's colonial actions as "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence" and as a "cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret", but he did not formally apologize.^[9]

1 November

Charles and Camilla walked through the Tunnel of Martyrs, which included visuals of those who had died in Kenya's struggle for independence. They also met with Kenyan veterans who had fought for the British in World War II.^[8] King Charles also held a meeting with the family of Dedan Kimathi, a rebel leader who was hanged by the colonial British authorities.^[10]

2 November

The King visited Mombasa on the penultimate day of the state visit. Joined by Queen Camilla, Charles observed a drill by the Kenyan Marines, meeting with marines and their families thereafter. The King and Queen attended a military ceremony with President Ruto at Mtwonge Naval Base, where Charles also reviewed an honour guard. The King also visited a turtle conservation site and a coral restoration project.^[11]

3 November

On the final date of the state visit, King Charles met with religious leaders and toured Mahdhry Mosque. Queen Camilla met with survivors of gender-based and sexual violence. Later in the day, Charles and Camilla visited Fort Jesus and met with local artists. The King and Queen also observed a ceremonial dance by a costal Mijikenda community, and were photographed on a tuktuk. They were seen off by President Ruto as they departed Moi International Airport at the end of the visit.^[12]

See also

• List of official overseas trips made by Charles III
• State visit by Charles III to France
• Kenya–United Kingdom relations

References

1. "The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to Kenya". royal.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
2. Musambi, Evelyne; Igunza, Emmanuel. "King Charles is in Kenya for state visit, his first to a Commonwealth country as king". ABC News. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
3. "The moment a princess became a queen". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
4. "King Charles III begins Kenya visit amid calls for apology over colonial-era suffering". France 24. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
5. Nyakundi, Ezra (25 October 2023). "King Charles III Holds Reception To Mark Kenya's 60th Independence Anniversary". KDRTV. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
6. Musambi, Evelyne; Igunza, Emmanuel. "In Kenya, King Charles III expresses 'greatest sorrow and the deepest regret' for past violence". AP News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
7. Jones, Tony. "Ceremonial greeting for King and Queen's visit to Kenya". The Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
8. Kirui, Dominic. "King Charles's visit to Kenya unearths memories of 'unresolved injustices'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
9. Foster, Max; Feleke, Bethlehem; Said-Moorhouse, Lauren. "King Charles acknowledges Kenya's colonial-era suffering but stops short of apologizing". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
10. Musambi, Evelyne; Igunza, Emmanuel. "King Charles III meets in private with the family of the Kenyan rebel leader hanged by the British". AP News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
11. Musambi, Evelyne. "King Charles III observes marine drill and visits conservation projects in coastal Kenya". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
12. Musambi, Evelyne. "King Charles III meets with religious leaders to promote peace on the final day of his Kenya visit". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 3 November 2023.