Royal news live: King Charles drinks narcotic kava tea in Samoa ceremony ahead of slavery reparations debate
The kava brew was part of the High Chief ceremony bestowed on the King
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Adorned in a large red neck garment and presented with a local narcotic brew, the King enjoyed a truly royal welcome as he was declared the “High Chief” of his Pacific realm in a traditional Samoan village.
Surrounded by tattooed and bare-chested Samoans in traditional garments, Charles and Queen Camilla appeared delighted by the colourful ceremony as they visited the Moata’a Village on day five of the 11 day tour of Australia and Samoa.
The King, dressed in white safari-style gear, was offered a mildly-intoxicating narcotic root drink in a half coconut, known locally as “kava”, a vital element of Pacific culture.
Charles enjoyed the drink in moderation - after Australia’s former deputy prime minister was hospitalised in 2022 after he drank too much of a local brew in a similar ceremony in Micronesia.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer touches down in Samoa for the Commonwealth talks, with slavery reparations likely to be discussed among the leaders.
Commonwealth leaders are expected to agree plans to discuss reparations as they look at an agreement which could open up the conversation through a communique.
Downing Street said slavery reparations won’t be on the agenda, with Sir Keir calling for the leaders to instead be “facing forward”.
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.
King Charles III meets with members of Indigenous community
King Charles was pictured embracing a member of Australia’s “stolen generation”, Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh.
The monarch, 75, simply said “Hugs are good” as he embraced Mr Welsh at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Sydney on the third day of his tour. The surprise embrace came after Mr Welsh admitted that he does not like handshakes.
Mr Welsh, 72, was taken from his family when he was just eight years old and placed in the Kinchela boys home, where he was given the number 36.
The so-called stolen generation were systematically removed from their families in a bid to eradicate Indigenous culture. The policy came to an end in 1970.
Mr Welsh said: “It was good he was there and he appreciated the hug as he hugged me back. I had a really good feeling about him. I got the feeling he is somebody who genuinely cares.
“I wouldn’t mind sitting down and having a yarn with him, to be honest, and tell him everything that has happened and how to help the children coming up for a better future.”
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