King Charles inspects a Guard of Honor in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
King CharlesandQueen Camilla’s official state visit to Kenya kicked off on Tuesday as calls for reparations and apologies from the British government and monarchy have intensified.
As their day of outings began, the royal couple received a welcome from President Dr. William Ruto and First Lady of the Republic of Kenya Rachel Ruto. The royals, whoarrived in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday evening, will help mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence during their visit.
The history of Kenya has been at the front of Charles' mind. He isexpected to address some of the “painful aspects”of British colonial rule and acknowledge the torture and violence against the Mau Mau rebels of the 1950s.
However, despite calls from protestors andsome historians, he is not expected to apologize. Writing in the U.K. newspaperThe Observer, Harvard University professor and the author ofImperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain’s Gulag in KenyaCaroline Elkins said Sunday, “Firstly, King Charles III, you need to stop choking on those two words, ‘I apologize.’ Just cough them up.”
Upon their arrival on Tuesday morning, they watched as the Kenyan Defence Force band played the anthems of the two countries. After a twenty-one gun salute, the couple planted two native trees before going inside the grand home for bilateral meetings.
King Charles and Queen Camilla with the President of Kenya William Ruto and the First Lady Rachel Ruto.Chris Jackson/Getty
The King and President held talks about the two countries shared interests while Camilla was shown a gallery of images capturing the work of the First Lady’s organization, Mama Doing Good, which focuses on environment and climate action and the economic empowerment of women.
Later, the couple headed to the Uhuru Gardens and National Monument and Museum to absorb themselves in the stories of Kenya’s history.
Charles and President Ruto laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and viewed the Mũgomo Tree at the site of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963.
King Charles and Queen Camilla plant trees on the first day of their visit to Kenya.BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty
Poignantly, at the Uhuru (which means freedom in Kiswahili) garden, Charles and Camilla acknowledged the statues of Mekatilili wa Menza and Dedan Kimathi, who fought for Kenyan independence, before walking through the Hall of Witness. They also walked through the Tunnel of Martyrs, which commemorates those Kenyans who have lost their lives in conflict throughout the nation’s history.
King Charles and the President of Kenya William Ruto enjoy a laugh at the start of their talks inside the State House.Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage
Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage
On his last visit to the continent of Africa in June 2022,Charles told an audience in Kigali, Rwandaof his “personal sorrow."
“I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact,” he said. “Many of those wrongs belong to an earlier age with different – and, in some ways, lesser – values. By working together, we are building a new and enduring friendship.”
“This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously,” the palacesaid in a statement to PEOPLElast week.
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Later on Tuesday, Charles is expected to make a speech at a state dinner where he will address some of the painful consequences of British colonial rule.
source: people.com
