In his speech to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Rwanda in June, the king suggested a change of attitude. For many in the Commonwealth, the diamond symbolises “repression, privileges and colonialism”, says the Conversation, a not-for-profit media website.
South Africans have already begun calling for the UK to return of the world’s largest diamond, the 530-carat Star of Africa, which will be set in a sceptre that will be held by the king on Saturday. When he acceded to the throne last year, the British historian David Olusoga predicted that King Charles would have to navigate “changing attitudes in … the Commonwealth – countries that are collectively home to 2.5 billion people, most of them not white and 60% of them under the age of 29.” But the sense of “distant familiarity” with her, among a generation of the African Commonwealth – some Nigerians called her “Mama Charlie”, an affectionate term people on the continent use to refer to their mothers by using the name of a child – does not extend to King Charles.Īnd he may have to deal with a reckoning on this imperial history. Her long reign, which began before most African countries gained independence, meant that many Africans learned about her in schools or or had seen her on TV. He watched Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last year. Mark Baraza, pictured with his son, says Charles has a chance to rebrand the outlook on Britain. He has eagerly followed previous royal events, including Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018, and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s in 2011. I didn’t witness the last one, so I will definitely be tuning in.”īaraza, a royal watcher, is looking forward to seeing the pomp and pageantry of the day. “They will be changing monarchs for the first time in more than 70 years. The 30-year-old Kenyan programmer can’t wait to watch the ceremony.
CHARLES DAVID ALDENTE TV
He was prince for a long time so it would be nice to see him get crowned.”īut diehard history enthusiast Mark Baraza will be sitting in front of his TV on Saturday. “I thought when his mum died he had already become king? I only know him as the heir but don’t know much about his personality.”Īnne Macharia, a 43-year-old pharmacist, is also vague on the subject as she lifts her groceries from a trolley into her car at the shopping mall.
CHARLES DAVID ALDENTE DRIVER
But the anointing of the king is likely to reignite debate around Britain’s brutal colonial history, as happened across the Commonwealth after the death of the queen.Īs he edges his way through rush-hour traffic in the suburb of Kilimani, Uber driver Joseph Njoroge, 45, is confused by the question. What public interest in the royals there was in the African Commonwealth countries, such as Kenya and Nigeria, has shifted over the past few years as citizens focus on pressing national concerns. “I was thinking of gathering some friends to watch it, but I don’t know if there’ll be interest unless I package it as a catchup,” says Ken Gichinga, 38, an economist.
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