King Charles and Queen Camilla Visit Samoa, Participate in Traditional Ceremonies

After wrapping up their tour of Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla traveled to Samoa to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Embracing the local culture, the 75-year-old King Charles, adorned in a white bush jacket embroidered by the Samoan School of Fine Art, and Queen Camilla, also dressed in white, were formally welcomed to the island on October 24.

During a special ceremony reserved for monarchs at the National University of Samoa, King Charles was offered a traditional ‘ava drink, a symbol of community and connection. Following custom, he poured a drop onto the ground before taking a sip. Both the King and Queen received garlands—Charles' made from pandanus tree fruit and Camilla's from flowers. Managed by the Head of State, Le Afioga ia Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, the occasion also saw the royal couple presented with gifts like a hand-woven fabric and a whole pig, intended to be shared upon its return to the village. Samoan men, dressed in traditional ‘ai lavalava’ skirts, announced the couple's arrival with conch shell music.

The primary focus of the royal visit is the unveiling of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on October 25. Upon arrival, their motorcade observed local celebrations, with each village displaying the flag of a Commonwealth nation. This state visit to Samoa follows their five-day stay in Australia.

During their tour, Charles and Camilla visited Moata’a Village to experience village life integral to the fa'a Samoa, emphasizing family, church, and duty. Charles explored protected mangrove areas—crucial for local biodiversity and resources but threatened by modern development. Camilla spent time at the local aoga faifeau (pastor school), listening to children's traditional songs and observing their storytelling activities—reflecting her passion for child and adult literacy worldwide. The Queen also addressed a key CHOGM event on combating violence against women and girls, held to foster collaboration across sectors to address this critical issue. 

Earlier, SSP wrote that Leonardo DiCaprio and Vittoria Ceretti enjoyed a casual date in NYC.