Plans are underway for King Charles III to make his highly-anticipated visit to Kenya later this year and also proceed on his France tour that was cancelled owing to security reasons.
The visit is touted as an emotional tour as it will evoke the memories of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne in Kenya aged 25, following the death of King George VI.
As expected, the King will be accompanied by a large security detail, including close protection officers, intelligence analysts and armed guards.
In particular, King Charles is guarded by trained specialists, the Royal Protection Group, who provide 24-hour close protection, surveillance and monitoring.
The King's itinerary, including where he will stay and the locations he will visit, is often kept secret until the last minute.
Royal Protection Unit will also contact the Kenyan government to dot the I's and cross the T's in travel arrangements.
His Majesty will further use code names and disguises to avoid detection from the public. The art of deception was derived from World War II when Queen Elizabeth II (when she was a princess) would use code names to communicate with her staff.
After the war, she continued using the model to disguise her identity, travel incognito, and maintain her privacy.
The King's vehicles are armoured and equipped with security features such as bulletproof glass and run-flat tires.
Further, the King cannot travel alone or accept strangers' gifts. The royal protection unit also scrutinises meals prepared for King Charles III.
The officers, who possess 10 to 15 years of experience, are trained in firearms, unarmed combat, defensive driving, emergency first aid, and overseas operations.
Further, they are skilled in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) which consists of various physical endurance tests such as running, swimming, and obstacle courses.
While monitoring the King, the royal protection unit officers are always discreetly armed with a Glock 17 pistol, a first-aid kit and a radio for constant communication.
