Title: King Charles III’s Historic Visit to Kenya Sheds Light on Britain’s Former Empire
In a historic visit to Kenya, King Charles III and Queen Camilla brought a touch of Britain’s fading empire to the African nation. The royal couple’s arrival on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, was accompanied by the majestic presence of gun salutes and the hustle and bustle of aides. Each moment seemed to build upon the others like a symphony, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and nostalgia for aristocratic England.
Leaving behind the dull skies and half-hearted rain of London, the king landed in warm Nairobi weather, radiating brightness. Eager to make a positive impression, he even attempted to speak a few words in Swahili, although his British inflection could still be detected. Nevertheless, there was an acute intimacy between the king and his listeners as he uttered the heavy syllables, evoking a sense of connection.
President Ruto, the royal couple’s host, exuded his usual energy and joviality, turning the day into a kaleidoscope of colors and glamour. Among the reasons for King Charles’ visit was his desire to comprehend the complex relationship between Britain and its former colonies.
During a state dinner on Tuesday night, King Charles expressed deep sorrow and regret for the wrongdoings of the past. It was impossible to escape the shadow of the British empire throughout his trip. The weight of history seemed to hover in every conversation, echoing like a melancholic tune played on an unnoticed violin, vibrating through the soul of the nation.
Although only fragments of the empire remain, and King Charles III presides over an empire in ruins, the story of Britain continues to captivate. It is a tale of how a small island nation, once considered a backwater, managed to establish the largest empire in history. It is a narrative of growth, stagnation, and ultimately, decline—the gradual unravelling of a car crash in slow motion.
There was a time when the king of the vast British empire held dominion over the world. Yet, like a chorus that has faded into the distance, the empire has diminished, its resonance unheard amidst a world dominated by powers such as the United States of America, China, and emerging economies.
Britain’s greatness has been glimpsed throughout history, akin to flashbacks in a tragic movie. But the glory is now but a distant memory. King Charles III’s life bears a resemblance to the dramatic characters woven by Shakespeare, who himself was fascinated by power, politics, royalty, and empires.
Parallels can be drawn between King Charles’ life and that of Shakespeare’s King Lear, an aging British monarch who divided his kingdom among his children. Like King Lear, King Charles III is an aging monarch with heirs in line for succession. Although Prince Harry has departed from the royal family, Prince William, older and first in line to the throne, remains a testament to the royal lineage.
Furthermore, the theme of star-crossed lovers, couples relentlessly unable to reconcile, features prominently in Shakespeare’s works. In a different era and under different circumstances, Prince Charles and Princess Diana could be seen as star-crossed lovers, their relationship ultimately plagued by heartbreak that tragically ended with Princess Diana’s untimely death.
Shakespeare also contemplated the king as an individual bound by human emotions. In Richard II, after being overthrown by Bolingbroke, King Richard admits, My crown I am, but still my griefs are mine. Even in the face of dethronement, no one could seize his personal sorrows, for he remained the king of his grief.
King Charles faces a significant task as he tours Kenya and other Commonwealth countries to forge new ties. In this regard, he is reminiscent of another Shakespearean character, King Henry IV, burdened by the weight of his crown as he famously declared, Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
Yet, King Charles can take solace in the fact that while Britain may no longer hold the unrivaled power of its imperial past, it continues to exert influence in various spheres, from football to the global prevalence of the English language. Perhaps a country can leave a mark on the world through moderation, rationality, and decency—qualities ingrained in British history that predate its imperial ascent.
As King Charles III’s visit to Kenya draws to a close, it serves as a testament to the complex tapestry of history that connects nations, as well as a reminder of the enduring allure of royalty and the remnants of empire.
