Posted: 21:51, 21 June 2022 | Updated: 22:20, 21 June 2022
Prince Charles became the first member of the royal family to set foot on Rwandan soil as he and Camilla arrived in Kigali last night. Charles is representing the Queen at the Commonwealth Summit of Heads of Government for the first time since he was chosen to inherit her position as head of the global “family of nations” in 2018. But the prince is also facing a potentially embarrassing meeting with Boris Johnson after it was revealed earlier this month that he had privately described the Rwandan prime minister’s asylum program as “disgusting”. Clarence House declined to comment on the “alleged anonymous private conversations” except to reiterate that Charles remained politically neutral and that “policy matters are a decision of the government”. Meetings are scheduled for the weekend in which the prince and the prime minister will be present. The Prince and Duchess of Cornwall arrived in the Rwandan capital on a RAF Voyager ministerial aircraft. Charles will hold several meetings to “listen and continue to learn” on key issues facing the Commonwealth countries, particularly on climate change, economic development, opportunities for young people and gender equality. Today he will commemorate the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Charles and Camilla are pictured getting off the RAF ministerial plane as they arrive in Kigali, Rwanda to visit the country and attend a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government. Karolos met with Special Adviser Ambassador Yamina Kritanyi shortly after he left the plane this afternoon He also spoke with Johnston Busingye, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United Kingdom, as he was received by officials. Prior to Chogm, Charles hailed the Commonwealth’s ability to make a difference on issues such as climate change or providing opportunities for young people. He said: “Taking common responsibility for solving problems like these means that the Commonwealth has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of its citizens – and, in this way, to be an unparalleled force for good in our world.” . The future king will hold a full day of engagement on Wednesday, when he will meet survivors and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide. In 1994, hundreds of thousands of members of the Tutsi community were massacred in Rwanda by Hutu extremists. The subject of genocide and reconciliation is said to be very close to the heart of Charles and he will visit a targeted village. The trip will be the first royal visit to Rwanda – one of the few nations in the world that the Queen has not visited. Her son was encouraged by former Rwandan footballer Eric Muragua to visit a church outside the capital where the remains of tens of thousands of genocide victims are buried. His arrival comes days after The Mail revealed he had privately condemned the UK’s asylum plan in Rwanda Mr. Murangwa was protected from assassination by his teammates, and Charles made him an MBE in recognition of his efforts to raise awareness of the Tutsi genocide. He is the founder of Football For Hope, Peace And Unity. In April, Mr. Murangwa was invited to watch as the prince planted a tree at Dumfries House to honor the memory of the victims of the genocide. The Chogm will take place in Kigali after its postponement in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid crisis. Charles last represented the Queen at the Sri Lankan event in 2013 – a move that was interpreted as a preparation for his future role as monarch – and in 2018 a designated successor to the monarch was appointed head of the Commonwealth. The event, which usually takes place in a different country every two years, brings together leaders from the 54 Commonwealth nations.
