… Based on his royal visits
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE- The Kingdom of Eswatini has made it to another listing.
Barely a week after being listed as the 10th richest country in Africa, Eswatini has been named, among other countries, King Charles III’s favourite countries.
Charles III is the King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms.
According to reports from The Independent, a renowned British news publication, King Charles III has favourite countries and Eswatini is among those countries. The basis of the assertion is based on his royal visit to the countries.
“The life of any royal is one filled with state visits, whether receiving politicians and other royals in the UK or travelling across the world for various engagements. Ahead of his coronation in May, King Charles III visited Germany last month on an extensive trip, beginning in Berlin and finishing in Hamburg.
“His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was the world’s most-travelled monarch, having made almost 300 trips abroad during her reign,” reads The Independent.
According to Reuters, King Charles has visited Germany on more than 40 occasions, with 28 official visits and his latest visit was his first as King and focused on repairing relations between the two countries after the UK left the European Union.
Topping the list of King Charles III’s favourite countries was France, as he is said to have previously visited France 35 times, with his most recent planned visit cancelled due to protests over the pension age in France.
This trip will likely be re-arranged in the near future, with the added aim of strengthening ties between the long-term allies.
It was then revealed that the UK King has travelled extensively in Africa, including to several of the Commonwealth nations.
The King has visited Eswatini, among other African countries, including Uganda, Lesotho, Ivory Coast, Libya, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Cameroon once, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania twice, Morocco thrice and Egypt four times.
When sought for comment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Communications Officer Sikhumbuzo Bhembe said this proved that Eswatini had strong relations with the United Kingdom.
“It is not surprising that Eswatini has been listed under countries that are King Charles III’s favourite countries as we have a very good relationship with the UK.
“Our Embassy always receives communiqués and invites for the UK State events,” commented Bhembe.
He also said the good relationship between the two countries was evident with the scholarships and job opportunities which were always presented to emaSwati by the United Kingdom.
