Kenyan banquet befitting a King, Queen
By Mercy.Mwai and Story Agencies, November 2, 2023
King Charles and Queen Camilla were treated to a lavish eight course dinner during a State banquet hosted for them by President William Ruto on Tuesday evening.
The monarch arrived at State House Nairobi where the banquet was hosted in a top of the Range Land Rover Discovery 4 early Tuesday evening following a hectic day which saw the King and Queen attend several events in the capital city.
At the dinner, the queen, clad in a blue tunic top and palazzo-style trousers by one of her favourite designers, Anna Valentine. She also donned a diamond elephant bracelet and a necklace belonging to her adored grandmother by Van Cleef & Arpels. King Charles on the other hand settled for a lounge suit.
Red carpet
Immediately they arrived at State House, the King and Queen proceeded to pose for photographs with their hosts, President Ruto and First Lady Rachel who escorted them down the red carpet while being entertained by a Maasai cultural dance troupe from Narok County.
At the dinner table, the King and Queen were treated to a lavish eight course of mouthwatering dishes washed down with drinks ranging from juice, champagne and water.
The monarch was served beetroot and goat cheese foam with hazelnut crumble, a delicate and vibrant start featuring a beetroot carpaccio paired with creamy goat cheese and crunchy hazelnut.
Beetroot carpaccio can be served as either a fancy appetizer or a refreshing side dish.
The menu also included cream of roasted butternut, chestnut and truffle soup, a rich, velvety soup made with roasted butternut squash, chestnuts, apple cider and cream, regarded as a perfect starter for a holiday or special occasion.
The main course comprised a number of delicacies including Malindi lobster and seared seafood ravioli flavoured bisque, a rich, creamy French soup made by extracting as much flavour as possible out of shellfish.
Champagne
Also on the menu was pan-seared salmon with champagne beurre blanc, a drink made with Champagne and fresh lemon, orange, and lime juice.
Meat lovers were served with Beef Wellington and chateau potatoes with minted asparagus with the high table getting treated to chicken Wellington.
Beef Wellington is a dish consisting of beef coated in pâté and wrapped in puff pastry. For the salads, the monarch was served Watercress and stilton salad with candied apples and walnuts accompanied by palate cleanser which included lemon and raspberry sorbet.
The monarch was also served portions of Kenyan and British inspired desserts, honey cake, carrot and walnut square, earl grey tea crumble and Sarova chocolate cake.
As the king and queen enjoyed their meals, popular Benga star Chris Odero, popularly known as Makadem, belted out several hits in Dholuo while Barissa Dhidha, a Kenyatta University senior cultural music instructor performed coastal music. The Bomas of Kenya also took to the stage, presenting renditions of Bukusu, Giriama and Swahili music.
Conspicuously present during the banquet was Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Raila was seen chatting heartily with the Monarch as a beaming President Ruto looked on. At the State House banquet, Odinga who was accompanied by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, sat next to Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru.
The royalty was also taken through the country’s pre and post-independence un-edited history, which included visiting a camp of martyrs, that symbolizes a place of remembrance, healing and renewal.
“In coming back to Kenya, it matters greatly to me that I should deepen my own understanding of these wrongs, and that I meet some of those whose lives and communities were so grievously affected. None of this can change the past.
But by addressing our history with honesty and openness, we can, perhaps, demonstrate the strength of our friendship today,” King Charles III stated. Despite the political rivalry between President Ruto and Odinga, the attended the banquet and had a moment to speak to King Charles III.
This gesture showcased a rare moment of unity and respect, transcending political differences in the face of a royal visit.
However, notably absent was Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is out of the country on official duties.
With Gachagua out of the country, the honour of helping the president welcome King Charles III fell on Prime CS in charge of Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.