King invited GCC to Britain for constitutional talks, says PM

King Charles III initiated an invitation for the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) to visit Britain for discussions on constitutional matters, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has revealed.

“The invitation for the Council of Chiefs to come and visit Great Britain and have a session with His Majesty came from His Majesty King Charles,” Mr Rabuka said yesterday.

He said the invitation was conveyed to GCC Chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.

“They will come back to government to see if they would like to go and whether government will help facilitate that,” Mr Rabuka said.

The Prime Minister’s comments follow public questions about why constitutional discussions would be held overseas rather than in Fiji.

Mr Rabuka explained the historical context, noting that Fiji’s 1970 Independence Constitution was issued in Britain following extensive consultations.

“That constitution was given to Fiji in 1970 after consultations with the two governing parties at the time,” he said, referring to the National Federation Party and the Alliance Party.

“There was a serious constitutional conference that started in 1964–65 and ended up with the final one in England and the issuance of the deed of the constitutional instrument.”

He said the constitutional documents were delivered to Fiji by then Prince Charles on October 10, 1970.

GCC Chairman Ratu Seruvakula confirmed last October that the Council had not received formal communication about the proposed meeting, adding that any invitation received through proper diplomatic channels would be deliberated at a scheduled GCC meeting.

The Great Council of Chiefs serves as an advisory body to the Government on matters affecting the welfare and wellbeing of the iTaukei people.