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”.
The Indigenous senator who heckled the King has intensified her criticism of the British monarchy, accusing it of complicity in the “genocide” against Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Sen. Lidia Thorpe’s comments came after she was escorted out of a parliaentry reception on Monday after shouting out criticism of British colonizers for taking Indigenous land and bones towards the King.
She received political and public backlash, but in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, has refused to stand down.
“The colonial system is all about shutting black women down in this country,” Ms Thorpe explained. “For those that don’t agree with what I have said and what I have done, I can tell you now there are elders, there are grassroots Aboriginal people across this country and Torres Strait Islander people who are just so proud.
“I have decided to be a Black sovereign woman and continue our fight against the colony and for justice for our people.
“I’m sorry, Charlie, but you can’t come here and think you can say a few nice words about our people while you still have stolen goods. You are in receipt of stolen goods, which makes you complicit in theft,” she said.
Alex Croft24 October 2024 14:42
UK foreign secretary ‘honoured’ to join King on state visit
Foreign secretary David Lammy has joined the King and Queen during their visit to Samoa, speaking of his mother’s adoration for the royal family.
“Growing up, my mother adored the Royal Family. Her late Majesty The Queen’s life of service exemplified the values that unite our country and society,” Mr Lammy wrote in a post on X.
“His Majesty The King continues that legacy of service. Honoured to accompany His Majesty for the first time on a State Visit.”
Mr Lammy will meet with his fellow foreign ministers in the Commonwealth, as they look to mobilise investment across the membership through the Investment Plan of Action.
He said in a statement: “Representing some of the world’s fastest growing economies, forging stronger ties with these markets is crucial for delivering jobs and economic growth.
“This government is reconnecting Britain in the world and building partnerships that will unlock greater prosperity for all.”
Alex Croft24 October 2024 14:06
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like? These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family. Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
Alex Croft24 October 2024 13:32
King Charles submits plan to turn Balmoral into fairytale wedding venue
Childhood dreams of a royal wedding may now become reality, as the King looks to open up the historic Balmoral estate to the public.
On the banks of Aberdeenshire’s River Dee, the world-famous royal Scottish residence has been a private property of the monarch since 1852, serving as the death place of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022.
In what could become a dream-come-true for royal enthusiasts looking to tie the knot, Charles has now submitted plans to allow a part of the Balmoral estate, the Queen’s Building, to be used as a fairytale wedding venue and reception space for other events.
Alex Croft24 October 2024 12:59
Watch: Alpaca sneezes on King Charles during walkabout in Australia
Alex Croft24 October 2024 12:26
Princess Diana biographer Meghan Markle verdict: ‘She’s flawless about getting it all wrong’
The former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair has given a withering assessment of Meghan Markle, claiming she is “flawless about getting it all wrong”.
Tina Brown, who led the magazine from for eight years until 1992, is no stranger to ranting about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, having previously dubbed the couple as being “addicted to drama” and branding their exit from the royal family as a “disaster”.
She has now continued her tirade as she laid into Meghan’s judgement on The Ankler podcast. “The trouble with Meghan is that she has the worst judgment of anyone in the entire world,” she told podcast host Janice Min.
“She’s flawless about getting it all wrong.”
Read the full report from The Independent’s Athena Stavrou:
Athena Stavrou24 October 2024 11:53
King and Queen meet cricket team, rugby team, and church school
Alex Croft24 October 2024 11:20
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.”
Alex Croft24 October 2024 10:40
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.
Alex Croft24 October 2024 10:07