Britain's King Charles and his wife Camilla are set to embark on a state visit to Kenya at the end of this month, according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. This will mark their third foreign trip since Charles ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, last year. Their previous trips to Germany and France were deemed highly successful, and this visit to Kenya comes at the invitation of President William Ruto, ahead of the country's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.

During their four-day visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Nairobi City County, Mombasa County, and surrounding areas to celebrate the strong and dynamic partnership between the UK and Kenya. The visit aims to highlight the collaborative efforts between the two countries in areas such as boosting prosperity, addressing climate change, promoting youth opportunities and employment, advancing sustainable development, and creating a more stable and secure region. The royal couple's itinerary will include meetings with government officials, United Nations staff, faith leaders, young people, and Kenyan Marines training with the UK Royal Marines. They will also attend an event to honor Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai.

However, the visit will also address the painful aspects of the UK and Kenya's shared history, including the period of British colonial rule and the Mau Mau uprising from 1952-1960. The palace states that King Charles intends to deepen his understanding of the injustices suffered by the people of Kenya during this time. Approximately 10,000 individuals lost their lives in the suppression of the revolt, and in 2013, Britain agreed to compensate over 5,000 Kenyans who had suffered abuse during that period. The presence of British troops in Kenya is another source of tension, with the Kenyan parliament launching an inquiry into their activities earlier this year.

The visit will provide an opportunity to address these concerns and work towards a more positive relationship. This will be King Charles' fourth official visit to Kenya, with previous visits occurring in 1971, 1978, and 1987. Kenya holds a special significance for the royal family, as it is where Queen Elizabeth's historic reign began, with her unexpectedly becoming queen while visiting the country in 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI. Prince William also has a connection to Kenya, as he proposed to his now-wife, Kate Middleton, during a private trip there in 2010. The state visit to Kenya will undoubtedly be a significant moment in both UK-Kenya relations and the royal family's ongoing commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with nations across the globe.