King Charles III is in Kenya for a state go to, his first to a Commonwealth nation as monarch

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — King Charles III is in Kenya for his first state go to to a Commonwealth nation as monarch. He will acknowledge the “painful aspects” of the international locations’ shared historical past whereas underscoring his dedication to a company that’s been central to Britain’s world energy since World War II.

The four-day go to is stuffed with symbolism. Charles’ mom, the late Queen Elizabeth II, realized that she had turn out to be the U.Okay. monarch whereas visiting a sport protect within the East African nation, on the time a British colony, in 1952.

The king and Queen Camilla touched down within the capital, Nairobi, late Monday and got a ceremonial welcome Tuesday by Kenyan President William Ruto at State House. Charles later planted an African fern tree seedling in its garden.

The royal couple additionally visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at gardens named Uhuru, which is Swahili for freedom. The king and Ruto laid wreaths, then proceeded to the positioning of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963.

Comments by the king and Kenya’s president weren’t instantly made accessible.

Kenya is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of its independence this yr. It and Britain have loved a detailed and generally difficult relationship after the extended wrestle towards colonial rule, generally generally known as the Mau Mau Rebellion, wherein 1000’s of Kenyans died.

Colonial authorities resorted to executions and detention with out trial as they tried to place down the rebellion, and 1000’s of Kenyans mentioned they had been crushed and sexually assaulted by brokers of the administration.

The British High Commission mentioned Charles would “meet veterans and give his blessing to efforts by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure Kenyans and Africans who supported British efforts in the World Wars are properly commemorated.”

The king additionally plans to go to Nairobi National Park and meet with environmental activist Wanjira Mathai, the daughter of late Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, as he emphasizes his dedication to environmental safety.

The royal household has lengthy ties to Africa. In 1947, the longer term queen pledged lifelong service to Britain and the Commonwealth throughout a speech from South Africa on her twenty first birthday. Five years later, she and her late husband Prince Philip had been visiting Aberdare National Park in Kenya once they realized that her father had died and he or she had turn out to be queen.