King Charles, Queen Camilla land in Kenya for state visit

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Kenya late Monday for a four-day state visit.

The trip comes as Kenya prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence in December "and will spotlight the strong and dynamic partnership between the UK and Kenya", the British High Commission said in a statement on Monday evening.

The Royals were received the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan among other dignitaries.

According to the UK Government, the Royals' visit is aimed at celebrating the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.

The Royal visit is at the invitation of President William Ruto ahead of Kenya's celebrations marking 60 years of independence.

King Charles's visit to Kenya will be his first to a Commonwealth nation since his ascension to the throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September last year.

According to a statement by the British High Commission in Nairobi, the King and Queen will visit Nairobi and Mombasa counties.

"Their Majesties’ programme will reflect the ways in which Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together, notably to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region," the statement read in part.

"The King and Queen’s programme will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education and innovation."

During the visit, the Royals will meet President Ruto and First Lady Rachel as well as other members of the Kenyan Government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders and Kenyan Marines training with the UK Royal Marines.

According to the programme, the King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai.

Also included in the programme will be visits to the Uhuru Gardens, the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the Nairobi National Park and the Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa

This will be King Charles' third official visit to Kenya. He previously visited Kenya in 1971, 1978 and 1987.

Kenya remains a special part of the history of the Royals as it is the country in which Queen Elizabeth II’s reign began, having acceded to the throne in Kenya after the death of King George VI in February 1952.