Charles welcomed in Samoa with traditional tea ceremony and ‘high chief’ title – Royal family news

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King Charles was given a grand welcome in Samoa during his state visit, where he donned traditional Samoan attire and participated in a series of ceremonies.

He swapped his signature tailored suit for a short-sleeved white jacket and trousers he designed himself, as he was bestowed with the title of “Tui Taumeasina” or “King of Taumeasina.”

At the National University of Samoa, Charles took part in an ava ceremony, a symbolic ritual representing community unity. The drink, made from ava root and prepared by the head of state’s daughter, was offered to the King in a coconut shell. Following Samoan tradition, he poured a few drops before drinking, watched by village elders, dignitaries, and Samoa’s prime minister, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

The King and Queen Camilla were also gifted woven mats and a ceremonial pig carcass.

Their visit follows a controversial tour of Australia and coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where the King will lead discussions on climate action.

Key Points

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UK cannot be protectionist amid Commonwealth economic opportunities, says Starmer

Britain cannot afford to be “protectionist” as it attempts to boost growth, Sir Keir Starmer has warned, as he seeks to tap into the Commonwealth’s 19 trillion US dollar “economic heft”.

The prime minister is set to arrive in Samoa as the clock turns midnight on Thursday UK time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).

His arrival comes amid a row about reparations for the UK’s historical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but Sir Keir has insisted the Commonwealth needs to face forward, not look backward.

Sir Keir will make history as the first UK prime minister to have visited a Pacific island nation, and will be in the company of King Charles, the head of the Commonwealth, during the gathering.

Namita Singh24 October 2024 06:07

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Charles and Camilla welcomes to Samoa with traditional tea ceremony

The King was dressed Samoan-style for a day of ceremonies welcoming him and the Queen to the island nation for a state visit.

Charles swapped his trademark tailored suit for a short-sleeved white jacket and trousers he designed himself as he was honoured with a new title, sipped a symbolic drink and was presented with a pig for feasting.

Samoa’s head of state and his village afforded the King the highest accolade by staging an ava ceremony where the drink, prepared by the statesman’s daughter from powdered ava root and representing community unity, was presented to Charles.

The ceremony was held at the National University of Samoa, in a falesamoa, a large open-air covered hall made from huge timbers and guarded by a ring of malosi ole nuu, bare-chested orators armed with sticks of their office and wearing sarongs and garlands.

Namita Singh24 October 2024 05:53

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Who is the Indigenous Australian MP who accused King Charles of genocide on royal tour?

Alexander Butler24 October 2024 05:00

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Namita Singh24 October 2024 04:55

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Push for reparations gains momentum at Commonwealth Summit

A growing call for reparations for transatlantic slavery is set to take centre stage at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm), with several Caribbean nations and the African Union leading the charge.

Despite this rising movement, British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the UK would not raise the issue of reparations during the summit.

However, he expressed openness to engage in dialogue with leaders who wish to discuss the matter.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has established a commission aimed at securing reparations from former colonial powers, including the UK, France, and Portugal. Advocates argue that the enduring legacy of slavery has contributed to significant racial inequalities that persist to this day.

King Charles speaks to local villagers during his Samoa Cultural Village visit on 24 October 2024 in Apia, Samoa (Getty Images)

Opponents, on the other hand, claim that modern nations should not be held accountable for historical wrongs committed centuries ago.

A source from Caricom highlighted the significance of the summit for raising the issue in an interview with Reuters, noting, “Chogm presents an important opportunity for dialogue on reparations, and the region is keen to table it.”

Kingsley Abbott, director of the University of London’s Institute of Commonwealth Studies, echoed this sentiment, saying, “It is a priority for many of the Commonwealth’s member countries, and whenever those affected by atrocities ask to talk, there should always be a willingness to sit down and listen.”

The history of the transatlantic slave trade remains a deeply painful chapter for millions of descendants across the globe. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12.5 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland, with many enduring the harrowing Middle Passage. Those who survived were subjected to harsh, inhumane conditions, primarily on plantations in the Caribbean and the Americas, enriching European empires at their expense.

Namita Singh24 October 2024 04:22

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Commonwealth nations to discuss slavery reparations, climate change

The leaders of the Commonwealth group of nations will meet at a welcome banquet in Samoa in the South Pacific today, with climate change and reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade on the agenda of summit discussions.

Leaders and officials from 56 countries with roots in Britain’s empire, as well as King Charles, are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in the small island nation, that began on Monday. The countries’ foreign ministers also began a day of discussions today.

More than half of the Commonwealth’s members are small states, many of which are low-lying island nations at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change.

King Charles is greeted as he arrives for a traditional ‘ava ceremonial welcome during a visit to Moata’a Church Hall in Samoa, on day five of the royal visit to Australia and Samoa (PA Wire)

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has said ocean temperatures are rising in the Pacific Islands at three times the rate worldwide, and its population is “uniquely exposed” to the impact of rising sea levels.

“Climate change is an is an existential threat. It is the number one national security threat. It is the number one economic threat to the peoples of the Pacific and to many members of the Commonwealth,” Australian foreign minister Penny Wong told a news conference after a meeting with counterparts.

A number of African countries, including Zambia, warned the meeting about the escalating impacts of climate change, including the effects on food security, she added.

Charles will also be shown the impact of rising sea levels which are forcing people to move inland, a Samoan chief said. Island leaders are expected to issue a declaration on ocean protection at the summit, with climate change being a central topic of discussion.

Namita Singh24 October 2024 04:09

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Princess Diana biographer issues scathing Meghan Markle verdict

The former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair has given a scathing assessment of Meghan Markle, claiming she is “flawless about getting it all wrong”.

Tina Brown, who led the magazine for eight years until 1992, is no stranger to ranting about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, having previously dubbed the couple as being “addicted to drama” and branding their exit from the royal family as a “disaster”.

She has now continued her tirade as she laid into Meghan’s judgement on The Ankler podcast.

“The trouble with Meghan is that she has the worst judgement of anyone in the entire world,” she told podcast host Janice Min.

She added: “All of her ideas are total crap, unfortunately.”

This comes amid apparent delays surrounding the duchess’s new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

Emma Guinness24 October 2024 03:00

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Alpaca sneezes on King Charles during walkabout in Australia

An alpaca sneezed on King Charles III as he greeted crowds on a walkabout in Canberra, Australia, on Monday, 21 October. Owner Robert Fletcher brought nine-year-old alpaca Hefner to meet the monarch outside the Australian War Memorial. Hefner was calmly waiting — wearing a crown and a gold bow tie — before leaving the King “in disbelief” with a sneeze after Charles stroked his nose. Mr Fletcher said: “The King just looked in disbelief. But it’s just who Hefner is. He is an alpaca after all. “He doesn’t bite and he doesn’t spit. He’s always on his best behaviour anyway. “And he is a pro-monarchy alpaca.”

Alexander Butler24 October 2024 02:00

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Watch back our event: What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?

Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?

Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.

What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?

Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like? These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family. Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.

Emma Guinness24 October 2024 00:00

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King Charles lands in Samoa to ceremonial welcome ahead of Commonwealth summit

King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Samoa to a full ceremonial welcome ahead of the Commonwealth summit. The monarch touched down in Samoa on Wednesday evening (22 October), to be greeted on the red carpet by a Guard of Honour. The royal couple waved as they stepped out of their plane at Faleolo International Airport. Prime Minister Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and Foreign Secretary David Lammy greeted them at the steps before they were introduced to a number of dignitaries. The King was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour, which was composed of Samoan police officers as the country has no armed forces.

Alexander Butler23 October 2024 20:45

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/king-charles-samoa-camilla-australia-royal-family-news-b2634682.html