King Charles honoured with 21-gun salute during historic Kenyan visit

King Charles III was on Tuesday morning honoured with a 21-gun salute mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces at State House, Nairobi.

The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla who are on a four-day state visit to the country, were received at State House by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.

The King and Queen arrived at State House some minutes before 11 a.m. aboard a Land Rover Discovery; a vehicle associated with the British, which the British High Commissioner in Nairobi also uses.

Britain's King Charles III (CL) and Britain's Queen Camilla (L) stand with Kenyan President William Ruto (CR) and Kenyan Frist Lady Rachel Ruto (R) during the ceremonial welcome at the State House in Nairobi on October 31, 2023. (Photo by Luis Tato / AFP)

The Royals also took part in a tree planting session at State House.

The Royals, accompanied by their host President Ruto,  later went to Uhuru Gardens to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the symbolic site where Kenya declared independence in December 12, 1963.

Britain's King Charles III (C) shakes hands with Kenyan President William Ruto (2nd R) as Kenyan Frist Lady Rachel Ruto (R) and Britain's Queen Camilla (2nd L) look on upon his arrival for the ceremonial welcome at the State House in Nairobi on October 31, 2023. -(Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

The Royals jetted into the country on Monday night and were received by the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan among other dignitaries.

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

During the visit, the Royals will also meet UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders and also visit Kenya Marine officers who are 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 itinerary will be visits to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the Nairobi National Park and the Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa

King Charles's visit to Kenya is 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.

Britain's King Charles III (C) inspects the Guard of Honour as he arrives for the ceremonial welcome at the State House in Nairobi on October 31, 2023. (Photo by Luis Tato / AFP)