Royal news live: King Charles says painful past can’t be changed as calls for slavery reparation grow in Samoa
The King drank the mildly intoxicating narcotic root drink kava at a traditional ritual in Samoa
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King Charles has told world leaders that the past cannot be changed, as he indirectly acknowledged calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for a reckoning over its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The British royal understood “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”, he told leaders at a summit of Commonwealth countries in Samoa.
But Charles stopped short of mentioning financial reparations that some leaders at the event urged for and instead exhorted them to find the “right language” and an understanding of history “to guide us towards making the right choices in future where inequality exists”.
Earlier in the day, Charles 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.
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King toils away deep into the night, Queen jokes
Long after the Queen has gone to sleep, the King can be found “toiling” away into the small hours.
That’s what Queen Camilla joked of her 75-year-old husband’s diligence, as she gave a speech praising the work ethic of women.
At an event in Samoa led by leading domestic abuse campaigners from around the world, Camilla told the audience the legend of the men and women who were tasked with thatching the roof of Samoan chief Tautunu’s house.
“Although they started at the same time, the women finished their side first, as they had laboured through the night, while the men slept,” she told attendees of the women’s forum event at the major summit for Commonwealth leaders in Samoa.
“As one whose husband is often toiling into the small hours, long after my head is on the pillow, I should stress there are plenty of exceptions,” she added.
“But the moral of the proverb is: Women will turn their hands successfully to any task that must be done; and will work hard until it is completed.”
King Charles sips on a local narcotic brew in ‘High Chief’ ceremony
King Charles has been presented a traditional narcotic brew as he was declared the ‘High Chief’ of his pacific realm in a traditional ceremony.
The King was visiting the Moata’a Village on the fifth day of his 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa.
Known as ‘ava’, the drink is a mildly intoxicating narcotic root drink, presented to Charles in a polished half-coconut.
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Slave trade reparations could be discussed at Commonwealth meeting
Reparations for the slave trade could be discussed as Commonwealth heads of government convene in Samoa for the leaders’ summit.
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer touched down Samoa overnight on Thursday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
The 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, the BBC reported.
It comes despite Downing Street previously claiming the issue would not be on the agenda.
Mr Starmer said ahead of travelling to the Pacific island: "On the question of which way we're facing I think we should be facing forward," he told reporters.
“I've talked to a lot of our Commonwealth colleagues in the Commonwealth family and they're facing real challenges on things like climate in the here and now."
While reparations are not formally on the agenda, conversations on the wording for a communique are possible.
‘We do not pay reparations’
Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer, who is attending the summit, has faced pressure from some lawmakers in the governing Labour Party to consider the prospect. But his government says it is not up for discussion.
“Reparations are not on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,” Sir Starmer’s spokesperson, Dave Pares, said ahead of the summit.
“The government’s position has not changed. We do not pay reparations.”Britain would not be offering an apology for slavery at the summit, Mr Pares said. He also rejected suggestions that the Commonwealth’s importance has diminished.
The summit would “bring together delegations from 56 countries representing a combined market for British business set to be worth $19.5 trillion by 2027,” Mr Pares said.
Role of British crown during colonisation under lens as countries seek reparations
King Charles is expected to helm a major meeting of leaders from Commonwealth countries in Samoa, including many that once had colonial ties to Britain.
His presence is likely to prompt uneasy questions - as it did in Australia - about the role of the British crown in the histories and aspirations of its former territories.
The Commonwealth is seen by some as a vestige of empire with an uncertain mission in the 21st century, and discussions about colonization among its members have intensified in recent years.
All three candidates to become the organization’s next Secretary-General - from Ghana, Lesotho and Gambia - have urged financial reparations for the past enslavement of colonised people.
Charles gets warm welcome from ‘very excited’ Samoans on his first visit to island
In the dark, dozens of people lined a narrow road near the Samoan fishing village of Siumu, gathering near a sign bearing a portrait of King Charles and waiting excitedly for a glimpse of the real monarch.
A buzz surged through the crowd as a motorcade appeared Wednesday, bearing the first British king to visit a Pacific Island nation.
Hands waved briefly from rolled-down windows and those standing in just the right spot managed to catch a glimpse of the king’s face. Then the monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, were gone.
The royals had arrived earlier Wednesday evening from a visit to Australia.
“All people in Samoa are very excited,” said Numio Faoagali, a garbage collector from Siumu who had spent three days cleaning and decorating his house with a Union flag and bunting. He hoped that Charles, who is staying at a resort nearby, might see it.
“It’s the first time to see the king. We’ve only seen him on the TV, not here in Samoa,” he said.
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