King Charles visited Samoa and participated in a traditional ritual where he drank a mildly intoxicating drink called kava. During a summit of Commonwealth countries, he acknowledged the painful aspects of the past, particularly Britain’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. While he did not mention financial reparations, he emphasized the importance of learning from history to address present inequalities.
The King, along with Queen Camilla, received a warm welcome in Samoa and was honored as the “High Chief” of his Pacific realm. He highlighted the significance of the Commonwealth to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and stressed the need for leaders to find the right language and historical understanding to address existing inequalities.
The debate over slavery reparations was reignited during the summit, with calls for Britain to pay reparations exceeding £200 billion. Charles also warned about the existential threat of climate change, urging Commonwealth leaders to take decisive action to reduce emissions and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
Despite facing criticism from an Indigenous Australian senator for Britain’s historical actions, King Charles continued to engage with world leaders at the Commonwealth summit. He emphasized the importance of unity among nations to tackle contemporary challenges and highlighted the strengths of the Commonwealth as a voluntary association committed to democratic values.
Queen Camilla humorously remarked on her husband’s diligent work ethic, contrasting it with a traditional Samoan proverb about women’s hard work. She praised women’s ability to successfully complete tasks and highlighted the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving goals.
Overall, King Charles’ visit to Samoa and participation in the Commonwealth summit underscored the importance of acknowledging historical injustices, addressing present-day inequalities, and working together to tackle pressing global issues such as climate change. His interactions with world leaders and the local community reflected a commitment to unity, understanding, and progress within the Commonwealth.
