King Charles III’s highly symbolic state visit to Kenya continued today with plenty of pomp and ceremony, a visit to a monument celebrating the African nation’s independence from Britain and meeting a group of enthusiastic Prince’s Trust students.
His Majesty also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Uhuru Gardens on the outskirts of Nairobi on a trip dominated by Kenya’s colonial past.
The King paid his respects to Kenya’s fallen heroes, military and civilian. At the site, marked by an eternal flame, Charles touched a wreath of white and lilac roses placed by two Kenyan officers. A few minutes later, Kenyan president Dr William Ruto left his own wreath. The King’s floral tribute had a handwritten note which read: ‘In grateful remembrance – Charles R.’
Charles, who has been accompanied by Queen Camilla, then walked to the Mugomo Tree. The fig tree marks the spot where, on the night of December 12, 1963, Kenya celebrated its independence by lowering the Union Flag and raising the flag of Kenya. It is viewed as modern Kenya’s birthplace.
The first full day of the four-day visit then led the royal couple to Nairobi’s Mashujaa Museum and then on to Eastlands Library to meet local children, including groups taking part in a The Prince’s Trust International Enterprise Challenge. Charles then visited an urban farm in the grounds of the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, holding produce and coming face-to-face with giant African land snails.
Today will end with a state banquet in the King and Queen’s honour, where Charles will give a speech to guests including prominent Kenyans and UK figures. He is expected to acknowledge the ‘more painful’ aspects of Britain’s colonial relationship with Kenya, including atrocities and the execution of 1,000-plus people perpetuated during the Mau Mau rebellion, when he gives a return toast at the banquet.
King Charles III poses with young people taking part in a Prince’s Trust International Enterprise Challenge in Nairobi today as the royal tour of Kenya got underway
King Charles III views giant African land snails from the aquaponics greenhouse at an urban farm
King Charles attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior on their state visit to Kenya at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi
The symbolic moment came as the King and Queen began the first full day of their four-day trip
Charles appeared to close his eyes in prayer during a symbolic moment for the King and Kenya
The King lays his wreath before going to view Kenya’s celebrated Mugomo Tree
Kenya’s first lady Rachel Ruto, president William Ruto, King Charles III and Queen Camilla view the Mugomo Tree, the spot where the Kenyan flag was first raised after independence in 1963
King Charles III arrives at the State House in Nairobi on day one of the state visit
King Charles inspects ceremonial guards during the official welcoming ceremony upon his arrival to Nairobi today
King Charles and President William Ruto at the official reception, flanked by guards
King Charles III laughs with the president of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, and First Lady of Kenya Rachel Ruto during a visit to Uhuru Gardens
King Charles III holds some veg and speaks to a group of nutrition, health and science experts at a Kenyan urban farm project – City Shamba
Queen Camilla and First Lady Rachel Ruto, who will hold private talks today
But Charles is unable to offer an official apology, despite calls by activists who also want Britain to pay further damages over human rights abuses dating back to the 1950s.
This is because he is visiting at the request of the British Government which, while having already paid out nearly £20million in compensation, has not apologised.
The King and Queen were told how a fig tree planted to mark the moment Kenyan independence was declared was considered a shrine and a ‘memory’ of the country’s turbulent history.
They were also warned that no one must take cuttings from it, and those who did were struck by lightning and died.
Their Majesties visited Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens, where the King unveiled a plaque and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
The couple then viewed the Mugomo Tree, planted on the day Kenya declared its independence. Uhuru, in Kiswahili, means ‘freedom’.
The King and Queen listened intently as Samson Malaki, curator at the nearby Mashujaa Museum, which tells the story of Kenya’s history, explained the tree’s significance.
‘It is a tree that marks our history,’ he said. ‘This tree is not just a historic landmark, but it is a shrine.
‘This country was planted as a result of what we went through as a country, as a memory, as far as this country is concerned.’
King Charles III in shades at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, on day one of the State Visit to Kenya
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, and First Lady of Kenya Rachel Ruto pose for a photograph in front of the Mugomo Tree
King Charles III meets members of the local community following a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior
Ceremonial Guards are seen as King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla are welcomed by Kenyan President William Ruto
Charles later visited Eastlands Library in Nairobi
Camilla accompanied Charles on the visit to the Eastlands Library in Kenya’s capital
The couple met local children inside. They are participants of the Prince’s Trust International (PTI) Enterprise Challenge
Britain’s King Charles meets secondary school pupils during his visit to the library
Queen Camilla greeting children, during her visit to Eastlands Library, with King Charles III
Queen Camilla gets a tour of a Kenyan charity helping with literacy
Camilla reads Lion and Mouse to local children
Queen Camilla speaks with founders of Book Bunk, a charity that restores public libraries
President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto (C) walks with King Charles III as they visit a new museum dedicated to Kenya’s history
King Charles III during a bilateral meeting with President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, at the President’s Office in the State House
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly with his wife Susannah at Uhuru Gardens during the visit
He told royal visitors that various Kenyan communities made pilgrimages to the tree to carry out cultural practices under its branches, including the offering of animal sacrifices, prayers and blessings.
He told them the tree was almost 59 years old but should live for up to 300 years, and will therefore be seen by many generations to come.
The royal visitors were told it was considered a shrine because when branches were once cut off it, the perpetrators were struck by lightning. Mr Malaki said no one was allowed to take cuttings from the tree and it must die naturally.
The King appeared fascinated by the tree and asked if it bore fruit.
Earlier, Their Majesties were greeted by Kenya’s president William Ruto and his wife, First Lady Rachel Ruto, on arrival at the gardens.
They stood for the national anthems of both the UK and Kenya, played by the Kenya Defence Forces Band.
Charles then pulled on a flag to unveil a plaque marking the occasion of their visit.
King Charles III smiles as he arrives with Queen Camilla for their separate engagements inside Eastlands Library
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, and the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, Rachel Ruto walk beside the house of Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president
Charles III and Queen Camilla visit Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya
The royal couple during a visit to the Mashujaa Museum in Uhuru Gardens
King Charles shakes hands with Will Straw, chief executive of Princes Trust International
Charles meets participants of the Prince’s Trust International (PTI) Enterprise Challenge
King Charles III poses with pupils during his visit to Eastlands Library with Queen Camilla
Young students look at a computer monitor ahead of the arrival of King Charles III
The King and President Ruto walked along the red carpet towards the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
As they approached the memorial, they paused and stood in solemn silence as the Last Post was played.
The King then stepped forward to aid the laying of a large wreath by two female soldiers on his behalf.
He touched it before taking a step back and pausing briefly to reflect before President Ruto did the same.
The King and Queen did a brief walkabout, greeting military families who had lined up to meet them. As they shook hands, Charles referred to the inclement weather as he said: ‘Don’t get too wet!’
Earlier his Majesty held a bilateral meeting with the president, while his wife was shown a gallery of images by the First Lady and told about the work of MaMa Doing Good, the socio-economic development organisation she founded in 1997 to help women, youth and vulnerable people in Kenya.
King Charles sniffs herbs grown at an urban farm at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi
King Charles III meets people during his visit to the City Shamba urban farm project
City Shamba serves as a model farm and information centre for the local community, and provides food to the hospital
City Shamba, the Nairobi hospital’s urban farming project, demonstrates how food production can be carried out in densely populated urban spaces through regenerative agricultural practice and use of recycled materials
Charles and Camilla were greeted by Mr Ruto and his wife at the State House in Nairobi.
While the King was smart in a lounge suit, Queen Camilla was elegant in a white crepe silk Anna Valentine dress and a diamond oyster brooch that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Before the formalities began, the foursome posed for a picture for the waiting press with the president’s official residence as a backdrop.
The King later joined Mr Ruto on a dais as a nearby Guard of Honour, formed in two rows, gave a royal salute and both the UK and Kenya’s national anthems were played followed by a 21-gun salute.
Charles inspected the troops, walking past the soldiers in their red tunics and peaked caps.
The visit is the King and Queen’s first to a Commonwealth country, which will strengthen the UK’s relationship with Kenya through the ‘soft diplomacy’ of the royal family.
Kenya is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain and Charles later held a bilateral meeting with the Kenyan statesman while Camilla had separate talks with Mrs Ruto.
Charles and Camilla arrived last night on an RAF Voyager aircraft in Nairobi and left the plane with no fuss or fanfare in what was billed an ‘administrative arrival’ ahead of the ceremonial welcome in the capital today.
Kenyan President William Ruto (C) shakes hands with Britain’s King Charles III (L) as he arrives at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi
King Charles planted a tree following the arrival ceremony
King Charles III and the President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, unveil a plaque during a visit to Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, on day one of the State Visit to Kenya
King Charles III meets members of the community following a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior
King Charles III (C) prepares to wash his hands after planting a tree as Kenyan President William Ruto (R) stands next to him at the Statehouse in Nairobi
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and First Lady Rachel Ruto pose during a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi today as the royal visit begins
King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet Kenya’s President William Ruto and his wife, First Lady Rachel Ruto, at their official residence in the capital of Nairobi today
King Charles III and Kenya’s President William Ruto pose at the State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
Charles plants a tree while standing next to President Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla and King Charles III are greeted by President Ruto and the First Lady today
King Charles III walks past a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla and Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto during a bilateral meeting in Nairobi today
King Charles III shakes hands with Kenya’s President William Ruto in Nairobi today
King Charles III arrives today for a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi, Kenya
Queen Camilla arrives today for a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi, Kenya
President Ruto, who invited the British monarch, is also said to be keen that the royal visit looks to the future.
But the King, who through earlier trips to France and Germany as well as his handling of the Middle East crisis has proved an adept statesman, is determined not to sidestep the issue.
And it is thought that the banquet, which is set to include his first major public address of the trip, will be the perfect occasion.
One royal source told the that the King personally believed that it was ‘right’ for people to want to be heard and acknowledged at ‘the highest of levels’.
Britain’s King Charles stands in front of the Guard of Honour at State House in Nairobi today
Charles speaks with Kenya’s President William Ruto and Camilla talks with Rachel Ruto today
King Charles is welcomed by the President of Kenya, William Ruto, in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and First Lady Rachel Ruto pose during a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi today as the royal visit begins
Queen Camilla and King Charles III are greeted by President William Ruto in Nairobi today
King Charles III arrives for the ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III is hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III walks with Kenya’s President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
Charles plants a tree while standing next to President Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour as he is hosted in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla and First Lady Rachel Ruto at the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi, Kenya
King Charles III and Kenya’s President William Ruto speak at the State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III walks past a guard of honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
King Charles III is hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles is welcomed by the President of Kenya, William Ruto, in Nairobi today
King Charles III arrives for the ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla arrives today for a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi, Kenya
King Charles III is hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla and Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto during a bilateral meeting in Nairobi today
King Charles III is hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III walks past a guard of honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla arrives today for a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi, Kenya
King Charles III walks past a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla arrives today for a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi, Kenya
King Charles III is hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
King Charles III walks past a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome in Nairobi today
Queen Camilla arrives today for a ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi, Kenya
King Charles III arrives for the ceremonial welcome at State House in Nairobi today
Kenya’s President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto at State House in Nairobi today
They said: ‘The way His Majesty addresses the subject will be with the great diplomacy, humanity and humility he brings to all difficult subjects, just as he did on State Visits to France and Germany, with whom the UK’s relationships had been strained for different reasons.
‘He has a wonderful way with language and a deep personal engagement with all communities that can help heal historic wounds with warmth, understanding and utmost sensitivity.
‘Often it is about listening rather than talking. In many cases people just want to be heard – and for the wrongs of the past to be acknowledged at the highest levels. And it is right they are.
‘While it is the Kenyan Government’s wish that the focus of this visit will very much be on celebrating the present and building the future, a symbolic recognition of the past is an important step in renewing existing friendships and sharing ambitions ahead for our two great nations.’
Charles will also touch upon the issue during other engagements, which cannot be disclosed in advance for security reasons.
The King and Queen will undertake their State Visit to Kenya from today until November 3.
His deputy Private Secretary Chris Fitzgerald has said the monarch will acknowledge ‘the more painful aspects of the United Kingdom and Kenya’s shared history’ – including the 1952 ‘Emergency’ or Mau Mau Revolt – as the country approaches its 60th anniversary of independence.
The Kenya Army band perform ahead of the arrival of Charles and Camilla in Nairobi today
The Guard of Honour lines up ahead of Charles arriving at the State House in Nairobi today
The Kenya Army band perform ahead of the arrival of Charles and Camilla in Nairobi today
The Guard of Honour lines up ahead of Charles arriving at the State House in Nairobi today
Members of the Guard of Honour line up as national anthems are played in Nairobi today
Personnel in Kenya prepare for the arrival of Queen Camilla and King Charles III today
Members of the Guard of Honour prepare for the arrival at the State House in Nairobi today
The Guard of Honour lines up ahead of Charles arriving at the State House in Nairobi today
Members of the Guard of Honour prepare for the arrival at the State House in Nairobi today
The Guard of Honour lines up ahead of Charles arriving at the State House in Nairobi today
A member of the Guard of Honour looks on ahead of the arrival of King Charles III today
Personnel in Kenya prepare for the arrival of Queen Camilla and King Charles III today
Members of the Guard of Honour prepare for the arrival at the State House in Nairobi today
The Guard of Honour lines up ahead of Charles arriving at the State House in Nairobi today
Members of the Guard of Honour prepare for the arrival at the State House in Nairobi today
Personnel in Kenya prepare for the arrival of Queen Camilla and King Charles III today
The British colonial presence in Kenya formally began in 1895 when white settlers were given huge tracts of rich farmland. Kenya became a British colony in 1920.
In 1953, the British declared a State of Emergency after a spate of strikes and violent opposition led by the Mau Mau party, amid growing anger at the dispossession of Kenyan lands and lack of political rights.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission say 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed in Britain’s brutal crackdown.
The country finally secured independence in November 1963, while Queen Elizabeth was on the throne.
In 2013, the British Government made an historic statement of regret over the ‘torture and other forms of ill treatment’ perpetrated by the colonial administration and paid out £19.9million to around 5,200 Kenyans for human rights abuses.
Kenyan campaigners continue to demand an apology, writing to Prince William last year asking for this and reparations for their ‘immense suffering under British rule’.
Giraffes graze on a tree in Nairobi National Park today on day one of the State Visit to Kenya
Two giraffes walk along a track beside a railway bridge at Nairobi National Park in Kenya today
Giraffes walk along a track beside a railway bridge at Nairobi National Park in Kenya today
A man jumps over the red carpet as it is prepared at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi today
A Kenyan woman watches live coverage of King Charles III’s visit in Nairobi today
Workers roll out the red carpet ahead of the royal arrival at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi today
Soldiers carry a table as they prepare for the royals at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi today
The red carpet is prepared for the King and Queen at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi today
As the reported earlier this month, the King will become the first member of the royal family to acknowledge Britain’s ‘mea culpa’.
Since independence, the two countries have enjoyed a warm relationship, however, and it is hoped that the State Visit will further that.
It is understood that it came at the request of Kenya’s President Ruto, who is keen to focus on their ‘shared future’.
Last week at a Buckingham Palace reception for the Kenyan diaspora in the UK, invitees were clearly excited and optimistic about the trip ahead.
A Nairobi City County worker carries a Union Jack while installing it on a street yesterday
Nairobi City County workers carry flags yesterday ahead of the King’s visit to Kenya
Nairobi council workers prepare to unload a truck with flags of Kenya and the UK yesterday
A van set to be part of the royals’ convoy and decorated by Kenyan artists with symbolic designs representing the UK and Kenya is seen parked at a bus station in Nairobi last Friday
Pedestrians walk past flags of Kenya and the UK as they install them in the streets yesterday
A van set to be part of the royals’ convoy is seen parked at a bus station in Nairobi last Friday
Human rights activists hold banners yesterday as they protest the King’s visit to Nairobi
Reverend Jundson Njoroge holds up the encased sword of Britain’s last governor in Kenya, Malcolm McDonald, who at Kenya’s independence in 1963 handed it to Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first PM as a gesture of handing over power, at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi yesterday
A volume of the Bible donated by King George VI at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi yesterday
The pew bearing Britain’s Royal Family’s crest and reserved only for royalty stands at the front of the row where it was placed in 1917 at the foundation of the Anglican Church in Kenya
Barking and Dagenham Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, who came to the UK 20 years ago and was named after the late Queen Elizabeth, told the Mail: ‘We have changed as countries since independence.
‘Things happened that shouldn’t have, but life has moved on and we are glad that we are both moving together forwards.
‘There is a lot of affection between the two countries. I am very proud of the way His Majesty is embracing Kenya. He will receive a very warm welcome.’