Newly crowned King Charles III of the United Kingdom (UK) will be visiting Kenya later this year as part of the Crown’s efforts to strengthen ties with Commonwealth nations around the world.
This will be King Charles’ fifth visit to Kenya and his first official trip to the country since his coronation at Westminster Abbey in London two weeks ago.
According to several British media reports, the monarch will tour the country before heading to France, a trip that was due to take place in March but was cancelled due to security concerns.
This particular trip to Kenya will evoke memories of the king’s mother the late Queen Elizabeth.
At the age of just 25, Elizabeth II was on a trip to the African country when her father, George VI, died back in the UK – making her the new monarch in February 1952.
She had travelled to Kenya with her late husband Prince Phillip to begin a world tour on behalf of King George, only to receive the sad news on February 6, 1952, while staying at the Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park.
“It will be a poignant moment. Inevitably it will be a reminder of his young mother at the start of her reign. Now, he is at the start of his, but he has the advantage of experience, too,” reads a report in one of the UK’s channel Express.
“It will also be an important marker for his reign that will underline how importantly he views the Commonwealth.”
The Royal family is, however, yet to confirm the visit.
By Wanjiru Mbaru