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King hands medals to Kenyan veteran thought to be 117 years old - as Queen feeds baby elephant

The King and Queen are on a state visit to Kenya, which has been overshadowed by growing calls for the monarch to apologise for wrongdoing in Britain's imperial past.

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Camilla bottle feeds baby elephant
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King Charles presented a number of medals to one of the world's oldest surviving Second World War veterans in Kenya on day two of the royal state visit.

The monarch handed five medals to former corporal Samweli Mburia, during a poignant ceremony where other old soldiers who fought for Britain against Hitler's regime also received replacements of their military honours.

Mr Mburia is thought to be 117 years old, possibly one of the oldest men in the world.

Commenting on Mr Mburia's longevity, the King said: "I think you must have been living on wild honey and locusts."

King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet veteran Samwel Nthigai Mburia, who is believed to be 117 years old, during a visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Nairobi
Image: The King greets Samweli Mburia
Samwel Mburia, a recipient of five World War 2 medals, is pictured during Britain鈥檚 King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to the Kariokor Commonwealth War graves cemetery, in Nairobi, Kenya, November 1, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Mr Mburia surrendered his military honours, as did many other Kenyans, during the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s - an anticolonial movement opposing British rule in Kenya that was later suppressed by British authorities.

Kenyan military personnel who fought with the Allies in World War Two got rid of their medals during the period in fear of being accused as British collaborators.

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Mr Mburia's daughter Idah Kagweni, 54, said her father's medals were lost and described the mood among Kenya's ex-military as the struggle to end British rule became violent.

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She said: "They were fearful to be found with those medals because of the Mau Mau. During that time some of them threw them in the sea or they hid them and don't know where they hid them."

The veteran, speaking through his daughter, said: "I am so happy and proud to be receiving my medals from the King."

The King thanked Mr Mburia saying: "I hope all the right ones are there", at the presentation ceremony held at a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Nairobi.

The 74-year-old monarch stumbled on some loose fake turf while visiting the graves but quickly recovered his balance.

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King stumbles during royal visit

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The royal couple also took the time to visit animal sanctuaries celebrating Kenyans who advocate for animal welfare and environmental conservation.

Queen Camilla was pictured feeding milk to a baby elephant at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage, which has successfully raised 316 orphans.

She was also seen giving food to a donkey at Brooke Donkey Sanctuary in the capital.

Queen Camilla feeds milk to a baby elephant during a visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park, to hear about the trust's work in the conservation and preservation of wildlife and protected areas across Kenya, on day two of the state visit to Kenya. Picture date: Wednesday November 1, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Kenya. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Image: Queen Camilla at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage
Queen Camilla feeds a donkey during a visit to the Brooke Donkey Sanctuary in Nairobi, Kenya on November 1, 2023. The equine welfare charity Brooke is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) to rescue donkeys at risk, and promote their welfare.     BEN STANSALL/Pool via REUTERS
King Charles and Queen Camilla interact with an orphaned rhino, at the Sheldrick elephant orphanage, on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya November 1, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/Pool
Image: The King and Queen with an orphaned rhino at the Sheldrick orphanage

On Tuesday, the King said there was "no excuse" for "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence" committed by the British against Kenyans, particularly during the Mau Mau uprising.

Atrocities were committed on both sides, but the Mau Mau insurgents suffered significant mistreatment.

Ninety thousand Kenyans were murdered, tortured or maimed, with many held in detention camps.

Ahead of his visit, there had been renewed calls for the King to make a formal apology from the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, who requested an "unequivocal public apology", and from those whose relatives suffered abuse.