Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on Wednesday paid a moving tribute to the victims of the Rwanda genocide.
The royal couple, in Kigali ahead of the Commonwealth summit, bowed their heads as they laid a wreath at Rwanda’s national genocide memorial where 250,000 people are interred. They were given a private tour of the museum which details the genocide and the reconciliation that followed.
In just 100 days in 1994 an estimated 800,000 people were slaughtered by Hutu extremists. They targeted members of the Tutsi community — including women and children — as well as political opponents.
Charles, who will represent the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, was in Kigali to “listen and learn” more about what happened.
He was later set to visit the Nyamata church genocide memorial following an invitation from former Rwandan footballer Eric Murangwa.
Teammates sheltered Mr Murangwa from the killings, and Charles made him an MBE in recognition of his efforts raising awareness of the genocide.
The Commonwealth summit was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Charles last represented the Queen at the event in 2013 in Sri Lanka — a move that was interpreted as preparation for his future role as monarch. In 2018 he was appointed her designated successor as head of the Commonwealth.
The summit, which is usually held in a different country every two years, brings together leaders from the 54 Commonwealth nations.
