Royal News: King Charles welcomed in Samoa with traditional tea ceremony and ‘high chief’ title
The royals were greeted by dignitaries who appeared delighted to welcome them to the island nation
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
King Charles was given a grand welcome in Samoa during his state visit, where he donned traditional Samoan attire and participated in a series of ceremonies.
He swapped his signature tailored suit for a short-sleeved white jacket and trousers he designed himself, as he was bestowed with the title of “Tui Taumeasina” or “King of Taumeasina.”
At the National University of Samoa, Charles took part in an ava ceremony, a symbolic ritual representing community unity. The drink, made from ava root and prepared by the head of state’s daughter, was offered to the King in a coconut shell. Following Samoan tradition, he poured a few drops before drinking, watched by village elders, dignitaries, and Samoa’s prime minister, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.
The King and Queen Camilla were also gifted woven mats and a ceremonial pig carcass.
Their visit follows a controversial tour of Australia and coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where the King will lead discussions on climate action.
Lidia Thorpe: Who is the Indigenous Australian MP who accused King Charles of genocide?
Australian senator Lidia Thorpe has made headlines around the world after denouncing King Charles following his Parliament House reception speech.
Lidia Thorpe, 51, accused the British monarchy of genocide in a fiery speech before telling Charles “you’re not my King” as he returned to his seat from a lectern in Canberra.
Ms Thorpe later told the BBC that she wanted to send “a clear message” to Charles. “To be sovereign you have to be of the land,” she said. “He is not of this land.”
Find out more about her background and activism here:
Lidia Thorpe: Who is the Indigenous Australian MP who shouted at King Charles?
‘Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people’, she shouted
King Charles and Queen Camilla continue royal tradition at Government House
King Charles and Queen Camilla continued a longstanding royal tradition when they visited Government House on their Australian tour.
They took the opportunity to plant Eucalyptus trees in the garden, as has been done to mark every royal visit since 1985.
🌳 To mark every Royal Visit to Government House since 1985, members of the Royal Family are invited to plant a tree within the grounds.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 21, 2024
Their Majesties today planted Eucalyptus trees in the garden. pic.twitter.com/Xjo2Fux8zJ
King Charles praised for open discussion of cancer diagnosis
King Charles was praised for his open discussion of his cancer diagnosis while visiting the Melanoma Institute Australia in Sydney on his royal tour.
The monarch, 75, announced that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease earlier this year following a routine procedure to treat an enlarged prostate.
He visited the institute to learn about its revolutionary approaches to treating melanoma, one of the most common types of cancer in Australia.
Prof Scoyler, a leading pathologist, said: “It’s courageous of the King to go public with his cancer journey.
“Everyone’s different about how they feel about a cancer diagnosis. Some people are happy to go public with it, but it’s not the same for all patients, and I think we should respect that.
“But for us, what we’ve been talking with the King about today is melanoma and the incredible advances that we’ve made here.”
A history of royal tours Down Under: From a young Queen Elizabeth II to Harry and Meghan’s baby joy
The royal family has been regularly touring and visiting Australia since the late 19th century, with the country playing host to several key moments in their history.
In the wake of King Charles‘s first official tour of Australia as monarch, The Independent takes a look back at the most memorable royal tours in recent history.
From a young Queen Elizabeth to Harry and Meghan’s baby joy: Royal tours Down Under
King Charles’s first visit to Australia as monarch will begin on Friday
Queen Camilla shines a light on Australians facing food insecurity
Queen Camilla took the opportunity on the royal tour to put the eyes of the world on a community project helping Australians experiencing food insecurity.
As a patron of UK Harvest, she visited its Australian counterpart, Oz Harvest, where efforts are being made to help those facing hunger and reduce food waste.
Refettorio @OzHarvest Sydney, an Australian-first, social impact collaboration between OzHarvest and Food for Soul, is a community hub created to meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity whilst also preventing food waste.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 22, 2024
🥫 As Patron of @UKHarvest , Her Majesty… pic.twitter.com/uCAcmRxzzT
King Charles learns about new bushfire prevention technology
King Charles learned about new technology being developed to tackle bushfires on the second day of his Australian tour.
A post on the official royal family Twitter/X account read: The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, is undertaking research, developing models and testing equipment, to study the spread of bushfires under a range of weather conditions.
“The King watched demonstrations and spoke to firefighters about their experience using newly developed equipment, thanks to CSIRO’s studies.”
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia’s national science agency, is undertaking research, developing models and testing equipment, to study the spread of bushfires under a range of weather conditions.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 21, 2024
🚒 The King watched demonstrations and… pic.twitter.com/dS5xhB5rzi
Queen Camilla meets with young Australian writers
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s packed schedule of engagements on their royal tour of Australia also saw the queen consort recognise the achievements of young, Australian writers.
A post on the official royal family Twitter/X account said: “At Green Square Library, Her Majesty spent time with talented young Australians taking part in workshops with authors, before meeting past winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (@RoyalCWSociety).”
Celebrating the intellect and creativity of young Aussies through outstanding writing!
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 22, 2024
At Green Square Library, Her Majesty spent time with talented young Australians taking part in workshops with authors, before meeting past winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition… pic.twitter.com/TNCjyULAK0
Royal fans praise Australia tour - ‘It’s a historic occasion’
Royal fans who had the opportunity to meet and glimpse King Charles and Queen Camilla on the second day of their Australian tour have praised the “historic occasion”.
The couple took the opportunity to greet their many well-wishers outside Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, where the king gave a poignant speech about his experience of Australia and vision for its future.
Kathy Carter and her family, who made “We love you” signs” said: “We would have sat here for another two hours. It’s the pomp and ceremony ... but on the other hand, they’re so realistic and down to earth.”
Dressed in a Union Jack-covered jacket, royal fan Serena added: “It’s a historic occasion.”
Charles and Camilla plant tree at Australian National Botanic Gardens
The second day of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s ongoing tour also saw the couple visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.
The King not only inspected the plants on display but took the opportunity to plant a tree of his own, a water gum, which he requested to see again once it is a little bigger.
Indigenous man arrested near Sydney Opera House on final day of royal tour
An Indigenous man was arrested near the Sydney Opera House today as he protested the ongoing royal visit.
Wayne “Coco” Wharton encouraged the crowd of well-wishers to leave Australia with the King.
“Go home with the King,” he said. “He is a King of thieves and a King of liars. You have no receipt, you have no agreement on the occupation of this country. You are a nation of thieves. You’re guilty.”
Following his arrest, the crowd cheered.
As he was being led away by authorities, Mr Wharton added: “What gives you the right to do this? These systems, these police, they create this environment. This King of England has the power to sack the prime minister, why doesn’t have the power to fix the wrongs he has done?”
Police told the protestor that the hundreds-strong crowd was there “for a nice peaceful day.”
According to Mr Wharton’s daughter, Nellie Pollard-Wharton, he was attempting to issue an arrest notice for King Charles because of the historic treatment of Australia’s aboriginal people.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments