King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting taking place in the country. The couple received a warm welcome in Apia on Wednesday night from Samoan Prime Minister and local leaders.
On the previous day, King Charles and Queen Camilla participated in a Royal Ava Ceremony at the National University of Samoa, which resembled a traditional kava ceremony, hosted by the village of Falelatai. Notable attendees included Samoa’s Head of State, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa alongside cabinet ministers.
The royals also visited the Samoa Culture Village in Matagialalua, where children and locals gathered to greet them. They had the opportunity to observe authentic Samoan traditions and customs showcased at the cultural center.
The State visit aims to celebrate the strong relationship between Samoa and the UK, further highlighted by Samoa hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2024. During the visit, King Charles will engage with young people and community leaders, focusing on sustainability and biodiversity as part of the CHOGM theme of “A Resilient Environment,” with an emphasis on ocean conservation.
The King is scheduled to tour a mangrove forest and a National Park to observe the local efforts in restoring and protecting these vital ecosystems. He will also plant a tree in Samoa’s Botanical Garden, inaugurating a new section of the garden that will be named ‘The King’s Garden.’
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla’s schedule will align with her broader work themes. She plans to visit a traditional Samoan Pastor’s School to learn about the literacy education provided to students. Additionally, she will meet with the Samoa Victim Support Group to understand the support services available to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
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