Samoa Welcomes King Charles, Queen Camilla
The King and Queen witnessed the authentic Samoan traditions and customs exhibited at the cultural center.
Friday 25 October 2024 | 10:52
King Charles and Queen Camilla on October 24, 2024. Photo: Samoa CHOGM 2024.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have touched down in Samoa ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting underway in Samoa.
Excitement filled the air in Apia as the royals were welcomed by Samoan Prime Minister and leaders in Apia on Wednesday night.
Yesterday, King Charles and Queen Camilla were traditionally welcomed in a Royal Ava Ceremony (similar to a traditional kava ceremony) at the National University of Samoa (NUS) Fale Samoa by the villagers of Falelatai.
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The ceremony was attended by the Head of State of Samoa Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malo Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mataafa and the Cabinet Ministers.
The royals also visited the Samoa Culture Village in Matagialalua where Samoans, especially children, gathered to greet their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The King and Queen witnessed the authentic Samoan traditions and customs exhibited at the cultural center.
According to the Royal family website, their Majesties’ State visit to Samoa would celebrate the warm bilateral relationship between the two countries, which has been further strengthened by Samoa’s hosting of CHOGM 2024.
His Majesty will also spend time with young people, community and faith leaders.
The King’s programme will, reflect the theme of sustainability and biodiversity, in support of one of the key themes of CHOGM – ‘A Resilient Environment’, and the meeting’s focus on oceans.
His Majesty will visit both a mangrove forest and a National Park, witnessing the work which is carried out by local communities to restore and protect both these vital ecosystems.
He will also plant a tree in Samoa’s Botanical Garden, marking the opening of a new area within the site, which will be called ‘The King’s Garden’.
Meanwhile Her Majesty’s engagements will again focus on the wider themes of her work.
The Queen will visit an aoga faifeau (traditional Samoan Pastor’s School) to see first-hand how pupils are taught to read and write.
She will also visit the Samoa Victim Support Group, an organisation which assists survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, where she will learn more about the services the group provides to those in crisis.
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