The King and Queen will make a state visit to Kenya at the end of October to help shore up relations with the Commonwealth.

It will be the first Commonwealth country the couple have visited since the death of Elizabeth II.

Buckingham Palace said the visit would “celebrate the warm relationship” shared between Kenya and the UK.

The King and Queen will travel to Nairobi and continue to Mombasa during the four-day visit, which begins on 31 October.

This will be a poignant trip for the King – it was where his mother became Queen in 1952 after the death of George VI.

Her life was transformed while staying at the Treetops Hotel in Kenya.

As with all state visits, the trip has been arranged at the request of the British government after an invitation from the Kenyan president, William Ruto, who attended the King’s coronation.

Long and complex history

The British monarchy has a long and complex history with Kenya.

The country gained independence and joined the Commonwealth in 1963. Celebrations will take place later this year to mark the 60th anniversary of independence.

But there remain grievances against the UK relating to British colonial rule, and the brutal suppression of the Mau Mau uprising.

The King’s deputy private secretary, Chris Fitzgerald, said the visit will “acknowledge more painful aspects of the United Kingdom and Kenya’s shared history”.

He added the King will “take time to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by people”.

The King is expected to make a toast at a state banquet, which will reinforce relations and shared values between the two countries.

Other engagements include a visit to the United Nations office in Kenya, and a trip to Nairobi National Park.

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State visits are the diplomatic tool of the British government. It was reported that the King’s trips to Germany in March, and France in September, both helped improve relations post-Brexit.

The King is head of the Commonwealth, and this visit is an important moment in his reign.

Many have questioned what vision he will have for the so-called family of nations, among whom there was deep affection for the late Queen.

The King has visited Kenya on four previous occasions, and reportedly grew his first beard there while on a walking safari during a visit in 1971 with Princess Anne, his sister.

Both the King and Queen are said to be “excited” about this trip to the country.

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