All the Best Photos of King Charles and Queen Camilla's Trip to Kenya
King Charles and Queen Camilla's four-day state visit to Kenya warpped up today. Ahead of their trip, Buckingham Palace shared, "The visit will acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history," adding, "His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya."
On the first day of his visit, the King made it clear that he does not intend to shy away from addressing this upfront as he began the trip with a keynote speech mentioning the “wrongdoings of the past.”“The wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret,” the King said during a state banquet at the State House in Nairobi this evening. “There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they waged, as you said at the United Nations, a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty—and for that, there can be no excuse. In coming back to Kenya, it matters greatly to me that I should deepen my own understanding of these wrongs, and that I meet some of those whose lives and communities were so grievously affected.”
This was Charles's first visit to a Commonwealth country as monarch (his and Camilla's two state visits thus far have been to Germany and France), and comes as Kenya celebrates 60 years of independence from British colonial rule. Kenya, too, was where Queen Elizabeth II's reign began—she acceded to the throne while at Sagana Lodge with Prince Philip.
Here, see all the best photos of Charles and Camilla's trip to Kenya:
Day 4: November 3, 2023
On their final day in Kenya, King Charles began with a visit to the Mahandry Mosque in Mombasa, where he met Babu Ali Said, chairperson of the Mandhry Mosque Committee.
They were joined once again by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.
Camilla kept cool under a parasol.
They watched the Kenya Marines demonstrate a covert beach landing.
King Charles received a neckerchief and a badge from Kenyan Scouts during a visit to Nyali beach in Mombasa.
Musicians greeted them at the Fort.
He met with community elders on the beach.
He looked deep in conversation.
King Charles then toured Fort Jesus, in Mombasa Old Town.
After, the King visited Kuruwitu Conservation Area in Kilifi.
Long an advocate for sustainability, he planted young coral into an artificial reef.
He met with Katana Ngala, a coral restoration officer.
King Charles looks on from the beach in Kilifi, Kenya.
Day 3: November 2, 2023
King Charles and Queen Camilla began their third day with a visit to Mtongwe Naval Base.
Day 2: November 1, 2023
To begin their second day in Kenya, the King and Queen observed a minute's silence during a visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Kariokor Cemetery.
Charles met war veteran Samwel Nthigai Mburia, who is 117 (!!) years old.
World War II veterans wait to meet with King Charles.
Queen Camilla met with community members at the cemetery.
Charles waved the Kenyan flag with marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge.
Kipchoge and the King were at a 15km "Run for Nature" event to highlight the importance of green spaces in urban areas.
He also observed the planting of a tree.
Meanwhile, Camilla went to the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care for Animals (KSPCA)
During her visit at the Brooke Donkey Sanctuary, local women presented her with Masai traditional regalia.
Queen Camilla, wearing a shuka, dances with the women.
The Queen also met a rescue dog named Bobby. (Note Bobby's bowtie!)
She met another dog named Her Majesty Sifu. Camilla herself has two senior rescue dogs, that featured on her coronation gown.
She also received handcrafted flowers from local schoolchildren.
Throughout the State Visit, Charles and Camilla are doing joint and solo engagements.
Charles visited Nairobi Street Kitchen and ordered food from a local vendor.
The King also attended a reception at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Nairobi.
Next, the King and Queen were off to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi.
They seemed delighted to watch the elephants.
The elephants frolicked in front of the royals.
The King and Queen then met with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Albert Mutua at Nairobi National Park's ivory burning site.
Day 1: October 31, 2023
Their first day in Kenya began with an official Ceremonial Welcome at State House in Nairobi, where Charles and Camilla were greeted by Kenya's President, Dr. William Ruto, and First Lady, Rachel Ruto.
King Charles walks past the the Guard of Honour.
On his jacket lapel, Charles wears Remembrance Day poppy.
King Charles and President Ruto sit together on the dais during the welcome.
Queen Camilla signs a guest book as Kenya's First Lady looks on.
King Charles takes in the scene.
At the orphanage, Queen Camilla bottle-fed a baby elephant.
After, Charles planted a tree as President Ruto looked on. (In the background, you can also see Camilla planting a tree.)
He then watered it.
Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand, founded conservation charity Elephant Family two decades ago.
Charles, always with a good sense of humor, laughed as he used the watering can.
Charles pet a baby rhino named Raha.
Camilla also seemed to enjoy the tree planting moment.
Queen Camilla, King Charles, and the Rutos pose for a photograph in front of the Mugomo Tree in Uhuru Gardens.
The tree was planted where the Union Jack was lowered and Kenya's flag was first raised upon the declaration of Kenyan independence in 1963.
King Charles in front of the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, in Uhuru Gardens.
He laid a wreath at a the tomb.
After, they toured a new museum dedicated to Kenyan history.
The King and Queen then went to Eastlands Library.
Camilla wore the Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell Brooch, which originally belonged to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Read more: A Guide to Queen Camilla's Brooches
A snap of Charles outside with his security team and members of the public.
At the library, King Charles posed for pictures with young people that are taking part in a Prince’s Trust International Enterprise Challenge.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla reads Lion and Mouse to students at the library.
Queen Camilla also met local children at Eastlands Library.
She was there with Book Bunk, a Kenyan charity that restores public libraries. Queen Camilla has long been committed to literacy causes.
King Charles continued his first day in Kenya with a visit to City Shamba, an urban farming project.
Charles, an avid gardener, delighted in the vegetables at the urban farm.
Read more: Charles Takes T&C on a Tour of His Highgrove Gardens.
He looked at snails, too.
And Charles really inspected some lettuce.
Charles was in his element at the farm.
He then visited a Tech and Innovation showcase at Nairobi Garage, where he snapped a pic with local entrepreneuers.
In the evening, Charles and Camilla attended a state banquet.
The Queen wore an Anna Valentine gown, and a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace that belonged to her grandmother.
She also wore Van Cleef & Arpels earrings.
During the banquet, King Charles gave a speech about colonial violence.
“The wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret,” the King said. “There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they waged, as you said at the United Nations, a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty—and for that, there can be no excuse. In coming back to Kenya, it matters greatly to me that I should deepen my own understanding of these wrongs, and that I meet some of those whose lives and communities were so grievously affected.” Read more here.
You Might Also Like
