King Charles III and Queen consort Camilla will embark on their first official overseas trip to a Commonwealth nation since ascending the throne in September.
The royal couple will spend four days in Kenya from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, Buckingham Palace announced Wednesday.
The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of British independence from the African country.
King Charles’ visit to Kenya
During the visit to Kenya, King Charles will hold talks with President William Ruto and attend a state banquet in Nairobi.
The trip will serve to celebrate the close ties between Britain and its former colony, but also for Charles to acknowledge the painful legacy of colonialism.
While in Kenya, Charles will visit the site where independence was declared in 1963.
Acknowledging the nation’s colonial past will be a key theme after the UK apologized and paid reparations a decade ago for abuses committed during the 1952-1961 Mau Mau uprising.
Charles is said to want to deepen his understanding of the grievances suffered by Kenyans under British rule.
The royal visit has personal significance for Charles, as Kenya is the country where his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, learned of his accession to the throne in 1952.
Princess Elizabeth was staying at the Treetops Hotel when she received the news of the death of her father, King George VI.
However, for logistical reasons, Charles will not visit the historic hotel.
The trip will highlight the work Britain and Kenya are doing together in areas such as defense, climate change, and trade.
It is hoped that the royal presence will highlight these ties and further strengthen relations between the two countries.
Kenya will be Charles and Camilla’s third overseas tour since becoming king and queen consort.
They previously visited Germany and France to promote the interests of the United Kingdom. Kenya is the first Commonwealth country the new monarch will visit as king.
