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CloseRead moreCloseDressed in a large red neckline and presented with local dope beer, the King received a true royal welcome in a traditional Samoan village where he was proclaimed the “Supreme Chief” of the Pacific Territories.
On the fifth day of their 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa, Prince Charles and Queen Camilla visited the village of Moataa, where they were surrounded by tattooed, shirtless Samoans wearing traditional costumes, and participated in a colorful ceremony. He seemed satisfied.
The king, dressed in a white safari-style costume, was served a mildly intoxicating narcotic root drink in half a coconut, an important element of Pacific culture, known locally as kava.
Charles enjoyed drinking in moderation, after Australia’s former deputy prime minister was hospitalized in 2022 after drinking too much local beer at a similar ceremony in Micronesia.
This comes as Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Samoa for Commonwealth negotiations, with leaders likely to discuss reparations for slavery.
Commonwealth leaders are expected to agree on a plan to discuss reparations, while considering a potential agreement to start dialogue through a communiqué.
Downing Street said slavery reparations would not be on the table, with Lord Keir calling on leaders to “look forward” instead.
Important points
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Video: Alpaca sneezes at King Charles during a walk in Australia
Alpaca sneezes at King Charles during a walk in Australia
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 12:26
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Princess Diana biographer Meghan Markle’s verdict: ‘She’s perfectly capable of getting everything wrong’
The former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine has given a mixed review of Meghan Markle, claiming she is “perfect for getting everything wrong.”
Tina Brown, who led the magazine for eight years until 1992, is no stranger to ranting about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, previously calling them “drama junkies” and branding her departure from the royal family a “royal departure”. Ta. disaster”.
She is currently continuing to lash out at Duchess Meghan, expressing her judgment on her podcast “Uncle”. “The problem with Meghan is that she has the worst judgment of anyone in the world,” she told podcast host Janice Min.
“She’s perfect at getting everything wrong.”
Read the full report by Athena Stavrou in The Independent.
Athena Stavrou October 24, 2024 11:53
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King and Queen meet cricket team, rugby team and church school
King Charles and Queen Camilla pose with members of the local traditional cricket team (Getty Images) Camilla learns about the influence and history of the Aoga Faifor (parish school) in Moataa village (Getty Images) The couple pose with rugby union players (via Reuters)
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 11:20
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The king works late and the queen jokes
The King is seen “struggling” into the night, long after the Queen has fallen asleep.
Queen Camilla made a joke about her 75-year-old husband’s hard work while giving a speech praising women’s work ethics.
At an event in Samoa led by leading domestic violence campaigners from around the world, Camila told the audience the story of the man and woman who were tasked with re-roofing the home of Samoan chief Tautunu.
“They started at the same time but the women finished their side first because they worked through the night while the men slept,” she said at a major summit of Commonwealth leaders in Samoa. told participants at the Women’s Forum event.
“As someone who stays busy working into the night long after my husband’s head is on the pillow, I want to emphasize that there are many exceptions,” she added.
“But the moral of this saying is this: Women are good at whatever work they have to do. They work hard until it’s completed.”
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 10:40
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King Charles drinks local dope beer at ‘chief minister’ ceremony
King Charles was presented with a traditional dope beer as he was proclaimed “Supreme Head” of the Pacific Territories in a traditional ceremony.
The King was visiting Moataa village on the fifth day of his 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa.
This drink, known as “Ava,” was a mildly intoxicating narcotic root drink that was given to Charles in the form of a polished half coconut.
King Charles drinks traditional aba root tea during Samoan ceremony (Pennsylvania) The drink is said to be mildly intoxicating (via Reuters)
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 10:07
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‘Colorful welcome’ to king and queen
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 09:33
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In photos: King Charles protects himself from wet weather on national park visit
King Charles takes shelter from the rain in Ole Pupupue National Park on Upolu Island (Victoria Jones/PA Wire) On the fifth day of the royal visit to Australia and Samoa, King Charles met with local villagers and community groups involved in reforestation efforts. Meeting (Victoria Jones/PA Wire) Rainy weather did not dampen the King’s spirit (Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 09:04
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Slave trade reparations could be debated in Commonwealth Parliament
Reparations for the slave trade could be discussed when Commonwealth heads of government convene for a summit in Samoa.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer landed in Samoa overnight on Thursday to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogum).
Commonwealth leaders are expected to agree on a plan to discuss reparations, while considering a possible agreement to start dialogue through a communiqué, the BBC reported.
This came despite Downing Street previously insisting the issue was off the table.
“I think we should look forward on the question of which direction we are heading,” Starmer told reporters ahead of a trip to the Pacific island.
“I’ve talked to many of my federal colleagues in the federal family, and they’re facing real challenges here and now, like climate.”
Reparations are not officially on the agenda, but the wording of the communiqué could be discussed.
Alex Croft October 24, 2024 08:28
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“We will not pay compensation.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is attending the summit, is under pressure from some members of the ruling Labor Party to consider the prospect. But his government says that is not up for discussion.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Lord Starmer’s press secretary Dave Palace said: “Reparations is not on the agenda of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Apia, Samoa, October 22, 2024 (Getty Images)
“The government’s position has not changed. Britain will not apologize for slavery at the summit,” Palace said. “He also rejected suggestions that the Commonwealth had become less important.
Mr Palace said the summit would “bring together delegations from 56 countries representing a comprehensive market of UK businesses that will be worth $19.5 trillion by 2027”.
Namita Singh October 24, 2024 07:30
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A lens into the British monarchy’s role in colonization as countries seek reparations
King Charles is expected to lead a major conference in Samoa of leaders from Commonwealth countries, including those with former colonial ties to Britain.
His presence, as in the case of Australia, is likely to raise disturbing questions about the role of the British monarchy in the history and aspirations of the former territory.
On October 24, 2024, Britain’s King Charles watches while holding an umbrella to protect himself from the rain as he visits Ole Pupupu’e National Park in Saagahu, Samoa (Reuters)
The Commonwealth is seen by some as a vestige of empire with an uncertain mission in the 21st century, and debate over colonization has intensified among member states in recent years.
All three candidates for the organization’s next general secretary, from Ghana, Lesotho and Gambia, advocate economic reparations for the enslavement of colonized peoples in the past.
Namita Singh October 24, 2024 07:27
