King Charles III Has Landed in Kenya For a State Visit

King Charles III is in Kenya with Queen Camilla for their first state visit to a Commonwealth country as monarch.

In his 4-day tour visit to Kenya, King Charles will acknowledge the “painful aspects” of the countries’ shared history while underscoring his commitment to an organization that’s been central to Britain’s global power since World War II.

The four-day visit is full of symbolism. The king and Queen Camilla touched down in the capital, Nairobi, late Monday and were given a ceremonial welcome today on Tuesday by Kenyan President William Ruto at State House. Charles later planted an African fern tree seedling in its lawn.

The royal couple also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in the gardens named Uhuru, which is Swahili for freedom. The king and Ruto laid wreaths, then proceeded to the site of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963. Kenya is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence this year. It and Britain have enjoyed a close and sometimes challenging relationship after the prolonged struggle against colonial rule, sometimes known as the Mau Mau Rebellion, in which thousands of Kenyans died.

In an attempt to put an end to the rebellion, colonial officials used executions and confinement without charge or trial; thousands of Kenyans also claimed that administration officers had beaten and sexually molested them.

The British High Commission said Charles would “meet veterans and give his blessing to efforts by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure Kenyans and Africans who supported British efforts in the World Wars are properly commemorated.

The king also plans to visit Nairobi National Park and meet with environmental activist Wanjira Mathai, the daughter of late Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, as he emphasizes his commitment to environmental protection.