King Charles, Queen Camilla to visit Kenya later this month

The UK's King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla will make a four-day state visit to Kenya later this month, Buckingham Palace announced Wednesday.

A statement from the palace said the King and Queen will visit Kenya from Tuesday, October 31 to Friday, November 3 “to celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.”

Their visit is at the invitation of President William Ruto as Kenya prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence from Britain.

“His Majesty’s first visit to a Commonwealth nation as King is therefore to the country in which Queen Elizabeth II’s reign began, having acceded to the throne in Kenya in February 1952,” read the statement.

During their visit, the King and Queen will visit Nairobi, Mombasa and surrounding areas.

“Their Majesties’ programme will reflect the ways in which Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together, notably to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region,” Buckingham Palace said.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet President Ruto and First Lady Rachael Ruto, government officials, United Nations staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines, the statement added.

The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai.

“The visit will also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960). His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya,” the statement further read.

Their Majesties will additionally lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Uhuru Gardens, as well as visit the site of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963.

Buckingham Palace said Charles III will attend a technology showcase, host a reception focussed on Kenya’s young people and future leaders, visit Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa and meet faith leaders from Mombasa.

The King has previously visited Kenya in 1971, 1978 and 1987 and both Their Majesties have also visited the country privately.

This will be Charles III's first visit to a Commonwealth nation since becoming monarch in September last year.