King Charles did one thing on Kenya tour that his mother would 'never have done'

04 November 2023 , 11:13

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King Charles III meeting members of the public during a visit to Mandhry Mosque in Mombasa County, Kenya (Image: PA)

King Charles is bringing something new and fresh to the role of monarch and is a "far less formal" head of state than his late mother, a royal historian claims.

The King and Queen Camilla have just finished a four-day royal tour of Kenya, their first visit to a Commonwealth country since taking the throne last year. Royal watchers have been paying close attention to how the pair have conducted their important duties. They have spotted how easily King Charles "works a crowd" and how the Queen is interested in engagements that "might make some people squirm", like meeting survivors of sexual abuse.

Queen Camilla and King Charles III smile as they arrive by electric tuk-tuk for a visit to Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya (Getty Images)

Royal historian Marlene Koenig said the monarch is doing his job perfectly and has praised Camilla for her fearless approach to difficult subjects.

She told Express.co.uk.: "Charles is far less formal than his mother. If you look at the type of engagements that the King and Queen are carrying out [in Kenya], you will see more informal engagements. Charles ordered Indian food from the local food truck. Meeting students who are benefitting from the Prince’s International Trust."

King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Fort Jesus, in Mombasa Old Town in Kenya (PA)

Charles has been preparing for the role of King for most of his life and now appears to be relishing making the job his own, she added. "He knows how to work a crowd – and he has been preparing for this job as king for decades. I do not think the late Queen would have stopped at that food truck. Prince Philip might have, however."

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King Charles did make one important speech during his visit to the country that was once a colonial possession. He spoke about the "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence" committed against Kenyans during that period.

His remarks stopped short of an apology but Koenig said his words were carefully chosen. "His speech at the state banquet would have been vetted and advised by the government, on what he could and could not say," she said. "He must avoid controversy – and it would be the government to provide an apology. The implications of the King speaking on his own would or could contribute to a constitutional crisis."

Queen Camilla dances with volunteers and staff from Sauti Ya Wanawake (the voice of women) in Mombasa, Kenya (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

She said that when he was Prince of Wales it was easier for him to speak out about the injustices of British colonialism, but now he must be careful about the words he uses.

The royal historian also praised Queen Camilla. She said: "Queen Camilla is undertaking engagements that are aligned with her own interests. She has been a long-time advocate for sexual abuse victims – and has continued this in Kenya by meeting with sexual abuse victims.

"For the [late] Queen, it would have been tea with a group of ladies. But that was the past. Queen Camilla is not afraid to take on engagements that might make some people squirm. Supporting and meeting with sexual abuse victims is a powerful statement."

Paul Greaves