King Charles visits Samoa for historic Commonwealth summit
Charles' historic visit highlights Samoa's role in Commonwealth summit
In the dim light, a crowd lined a narrow road near Siumu, a Samoan fishing village. They gathered near a sign with King Charles III’s portrait, eagerly waiting to see the monarch. Excitement grew as a motorcade arrived on Wednesday, carrying the first British king to visit a Pacific Island nation. Briefly, hands waved from rolled-down windows, and some managed to glimpse the king’s face. Then, the monarch and Queen Camilla were gone.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, the royals had arrived from Australia. Numio Faoagali, a garbage collector from Siumu, spent three days cleaning and decorating his house with a Union flag and bunting, hoping Charles might notice it. “It’s the first time to see the king. We’ve only seen him on TV, not here in Samoa,” he said.
Charles is set to lead a significant meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Samoa, many of whom have historical ties to Britain. His visit may raise questions, as it did in Australia, about the British crown’s role in its former territories’ histories and futures. However, on Wednesday, his presence brought joy. Locals were thrilled their village was chosen to host the monarch, gathering two hours early to await his arrival. Madeleine A. Tofaeono-Galo mentioned her cousin traveled from the other side of the island just to see the king.
King Charles III participated in a traditional kava-drinking ceremony in Samoa, being declared a “high chief” during his 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa.
Dressed in a white safari suit, he enjoyed the mildly narcotic kava brew, a key part of Pacific culture.
This marks his… pic.twitter.com/OfxfQPFaeu
— Eagle News Feed (@eagle_feed) October 24, 2024
In Apia, the capital, preparations were in full swing to welcome Charles, other world leaders, and over 3,000 delegates to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The paramount chief of Siumu, Ataona Tusi Fafetai, expressed excitement about the global attention the visit brought. “We are excited as a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “We have pride in our core values, as in hospitality, respect, and love and caring for our people. It’s a great opportunity for us to show the world who we are and our identity as Samoan.”
Hosting this summit marks a first for a Pacific Island. Over half of the Commonwealth’s members are small countries, many of them island nations threatened by rising sea levels. Climate change will dominate the summit agenda. Charles has long advocated for climate awareness, and leaders are expected to commit to an Ocean Declaration with new, yet unspecified, pledges. Fafetai stressed the need for support to reduce the greenhouse effect over Pacific islands, adding that the summit aims for unity and awareness and to find solutions.
The forum will challenge the diverse group of nations to align on substantive issues. The Commonwealth, sometimes viewed as a remnant of empire, faces existential questions. Discussions about colonization have intensified, with all three candidates for the next Secretary-General calling for financial reparations for past enslavement. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attending the summit, faces pressure from some Labour Party lawmakers to consider reparations, but his government has ruled it out. “Reparations are not on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,” said Dave Pares, Starmer’s spokesman. Britain will not offer an apology for slavery at the summit, and Pares dismissed suggestions that the Commonwealth’s importance has waned. He emphasized the economic significance of the summit, noting it would bring together delegations from 56 countries with a combined market value set to reach $19.5 trillion by 2027.
Kaiser Chief… King Charles is made ‘Paramount’ of ‘High Chief’ of Taumeasina, in Samoa, following his second Ava ceremony. For that honour he received a fly/swatter and a staff. pic.twitter.com/SxvJIokDT1
— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) October 24, 2024
There will be notable absences, though. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are attending a BRICS meeting hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also canceled his trip due to political issues at home. Observers will be watching to see if Charles can unify the diverse and unequal group of countries as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, once did. Anna Whitelock, a professor of history of the monarchy, noted, “The Commonwealth, I think he knows, was one of the most important things that his mother did. Not only keeping this Commonwealth of countries together but actually retaining a sort of spirit of community and cooperation and relevance in a world with many other power blocs and challenges.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News reports that King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is met with excitement and anticipation, amidst discussions on colonial legacy and climate change.(read more)
- ABC News reports on King Charles III’s warm welcome in Samoa, despite uneasy questions about Britain’s colonial past and climate change commitments.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why were people gathered in Siumu?
They were waiting to see King Charles III, the first British king to visit a Pacific Island nation.
What was Numio Faoagali’s preparation for the royal visit?
He spent three days cleaning and decorating his house with a Union flag and bunting.
What significant event is King Charles III attending in Samoa?
He is leading the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, the capital.
What is a key topic for the Commonwealth summit?
Climate change and the commitment to an Ocean Declaration.
Why will some key leaders be absent from the summit?
Indian PM Modi, South African President Ramaphosa, and Canadian PM Trudeau have other commitments.
