King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting taking place in the country. The atmosphere in Apia was filled with excitement as the royals were welcomed by Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and other leaders on Wednesday evening.
On the previous day, King Charles and Queen Camilla participated in a traditional Royal Ava Ceremony at the National University of Samoa, hosted by the villagers of Falelatai. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Samoa’s Head of State Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malo Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, as well as cabinet ministers.
The royal couple also visited the Samoa Culture Village in Matagialalua, where they received a warm reception from the local community, particularly children. They experienced authentic Samoan customs and traditions displayed at the cultural center.
According to the Royal family website, the visit aims to celebrate the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, which are expected to grow with Samoa’s hosting of CHOGM 2024. King Charles is set to engage with youth, community, and faith leaders during his stay.
The King’s agenda will focus on sustainability and biodiversity, highlighting one of the key themes of CHOGM – ‘A Resilient Environment’ – alongside discussions relevant to ocean conservation. His Majesty plans to visit a mangrove forest and a National Park to observe local community efforts in preserving these crucial ecosystems. He will also plant a tree in Samoa’s Botanical Garden, inaugurating a new section called ‘The King’s Garden’.
Queen Camilla’s activities will reflect her wider advocacy work. She will visit a traditional Samoan Pastor’s School to observe how young students learn literacy skills. Additionally, she plans to meet with the Samoa Victim Support Group, a charity that aids survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, to better understand the support services available to those in crisis.
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