The British Royals in Kenya

As the Queen of the United Kingdom and the head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II has made many trips and royal tours around the world. Prince Philip, her husband, has accompanied her on many of her travels. 

It was while she was in Kenya that she learnt of her father’s passing and consequently became the Head of the Royal Family in 1953.

Prince Philip explained how they learnt about the news in Kenya: "For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess, and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience, she climbed down from the tree the next a Queen - God Bless Her”.

The Queen returned to Kenya on several occasions, attending official state visits during both President Kenyatta and President Moi’s regimes. 

Prince Charles and Princess Anne visited Kenya on many occasions. In 1971 Mo Amin wrote: "It was a traditional African welcome by President Kenyatta of Kenya, the grand old man of Africa, but brought a blank look to the face of Britain’s heir apparent, Prince Charles … He and Mama Ngina gave them rare and valuable gifts, entertained them in their house and gave them a feast of traditional dancing. Smiling and joking, the President captivated the British Royal youngsters.”

Mo Amin continued: “President Kenyatta asked Charles if he had visited Segana State Lodge where his mother was told she had become Queen of Britain. Charles said he had not but that his sister, Princess Anne, had and Kenyatta told him: “Tell your mother it is well looked after. It is here for her. It is hers. She is welcome anytime as our guest.”

Princess Anne cuddled a lovable but highly dangerous bundle of fur -- a three month old leopard.

Meanwhile her brother, Britain’s heir apparent, dubbed Prince Charming by all who’ve met him, played some polo and then set off on a four day camel trek through the blazing sands of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District where savage lion and angry elephant roam in abundance.