Samoa became the first island nation to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and both the government and its people did not take this honour lightly. Pride in their culture and hospitality was evident in how they worked together to decorate village roads and community spaces.
They even added portraits to acknowledge the Commonwealth states and their leaders, including the head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III, and Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who accompanied him on this trip.
Meetings and forums began before the King and Queen’s arrival, and the royals had additional items on their agenda outside the official Commonwealth discussions. From these visits, it was clear that they fit in well, or rather, showed great respect for the Samoan people and the warm welcome extended to them.
They were seen conversing with people of all ages, from the elderly to young children. Queen Camilla’s frequent smiles left a lasting impression, especially as she was pictured surrounded by the children of Moata’a pastor’s school, singing a Samoan farewell song, a touching moment that captured the hearts of many.
One of Her Majesty’s visits was to the Samoa Victim Support Group to open a pre-school named in her honour– ‘Queen Camilla Pre-school’. A young representative of the group, Elijah Lueng Wai spoke on behalf of all the children living at the center, and the Queen reached out to thank the young boy after his heartfelt speech.
It’s unclear whether King Charles III had tasted kava before, but he did not hesitate to try it, despite his recent cancer diagnosis. He respectfully accepted the traditional drink, which is made from the kava root and is a customary way for Samoans to welcome visitors or mark special occasions like the bestowing of chiefly titles. The King partook of the drink not once but twice.
While there may have been complaints about the weather, the Samoan heat can indeed be challenging when it’s sunny and humid. The rain and wind during CHOGM week likely brought relief to the leaders, helping them stay cool and comfortable in their suits and formal attire.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the singing and dancing. The Piula and Malua Theological choir’s rendition of the Samoan national anthem was beautiful, followed by a mixed cultural performance of singing and dancing.
In his speech at the leaders’ dinner, King Charles expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Samoan people in their preparations. He remarked
“I do want to offer my heartfelt thanks to the government and people of Samoa for the wonderful way they welcome us. There is so much to learn from Samoa’s outstanding hospitality. The strength of the Samoan spirit and the immense amount of pride that Samoans have for your country, your culture, not to mention the wonderful ways your villages have decorated your roads and communities. I think, I hope I speak for many of us, how deeply our experiences have touched us, how it will always stay with us, if I may say so, the unforgettable magic of the singing and dancing at the end of the opening ceremony today.”
It was inspiring to see the King and Queen taking the time to greet all the leaders attending CHOGM.
Despite being the oldest among the group, they displayed a true spirit of enjoyment, warmly and respectfully greeting everyone who wished to shake hands. Samoa certainly planned this event to foster a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere, bringing people together to address issues for a better tomorrow.
It’s rare to see the King and Queen engaging so closely with so many people, revealing more of their personalities. The Samoa visit has brought out their true spirits in a beautiful, authentic way.
Well done Samoa!
