King Charles said 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.
Key Points
- Charles and Camilla welcomed to Samoa with traditional tea ceremony
- Commonwealth nations to discuss slavery reparations, climate change
- King Charles lands in Samoa to ceremonial welcome
- King Charles makes cheeky joke to Aussie rugby player
King Charles says the past can’t be changed as he acknowledges Britain’s role in slave trade
04:23
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
King Charles said 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”.
“None of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to write the inequalities that endure,” said Charles, who is attending his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or Chogm, as Britain’s head of state.
The gathering of presidents and prime ministers for the Chogm could see member states begin a “meaningful conversation” about the issue of reparations for slavery, according to reports.
King Charles lands in Samoa to ceremonial welcome ahead of Commonwealth summit
02:00
Alexander Butler
King Charles sips traditional ava root tea during Samoan ceremony
01:00
Alexander Butler
Mike Tindall’s awkward joke about ‘filling in’ Prince Harry
Friday 25 October 2024 00:00
Alex Croft
Rugby player Mike Tindall found himself in trouble after he joked about the royal family wanting to “fill Harry in”, podcast co-host James Haskell revealed.
Podcast hosts Tindall, Haskell, and Alex Payne have reelased a book called ‘The Good, the Bad & the Rugby - Unleashed’, in which Haskell revealed the awkward joke made by Tindall, who is married to the late Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall.
“[Mike] even got into a bit of trouble when he appeared on a live version of A Question of Sport: he told a story about him and Iain Balshaw pretending to punch Prince Harry at a post-World Cup final party in 2003 and joked that the royal family wanted to fill him in for real,” Mr Haskell explained.
“I say trouble but it was a bit of a minor kerfuffle, nothing to write home about.”
But the story came back into public consciousness when that “very odd bloke Omid Scobie started sticking up for Harry and Meghan,” Haskell wrote, according to the Mirror.
“Loads of trolls went in on Tins, especially about him wanting to fill in a young, defenceless Harry. All context, sarcasm and humour lost, when things are taken out of the zone they were meant to be in.”
King to tell world leaders at Commonwealth summit that unity is their strength
Thursday 24 October 2024 22:58
Alexander Butler
The King is expected to tell world leaders that unity is their strength, enabling them to tackle the “demands of our time”, when he officially opens a major Commonwealth summit for the first time.
Charles will address presidents and prime ministers when he launches the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Samoa on Friday, saying “all nations are equal in this unique and voluntary association” which “is committed to developing free and democratic societies”.
The event will be a milestone moment for the UK’s head of state, who is expected to highlight the purpose and strengths of the “family of nations”.
He is also expected to speak about the importance of recognising and understanding the path of history, and where that may have given rise to contemporary challenges.
Indigenous Australian senator intensifies criticism of King Charles III
Thursday 24 October 2024 22:58
Alex Croft
An Indigenous senator has intensified her criticism of King Charles, again accusing the British monarch of complicity in the “genocide” against Australia’s First Nations peoples and declaring on Wednesday she will not be “shut down.”
Sen. Lidia Thorpe’s comments followed an encounter with the monarch at a parliamentary reception Monday where she was escorted out after shouting at him for British colonizers taking Indigenous land and bones.
Despite facing political and public backlash, Thorpe was resolute in a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and said she would continue to press for justice.
Read the full report:
King toils away deep into the night, Queen jokes
Thursday 24 October 2024 22:04
Alex Croft
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.”
Camilla visits one of Samoa’s ‘earliest primary education programmes'
Thursday 24 October 2024 21:10
Alex Croft
Queen Camilla spent time with schoolchildren today during her visit to a Samoan village.
The royal family said in a post on X: “The aoga faifeau was one of the earliest primary education programmes in Samoa, and the country’s high literacy levels are often attributed to the scheme.
“In Moata’a Village, The Queen spent time with schoolchildren, as they sang songs and told Her Majesty more about what they have learnt recently.”
The aoga faifeau was one of the earliest primary education programmes in Samoa, and the country’s high literacy levels are often attributed to the scheme.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 24, 2024
In Moata’a Village, The Queen spent time with schoolchildren, as they sang songs and told Her Majesty more about what they… pic.twitter.com/2eEG49nYs9
Slave trade reparations could be discussed at Commonwealth meeting
Thursday 24 October 2024 20:12
Alex Croft
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.
In pictures: Charles visits O Le Pupu-Pue National Park
Thursday 24 October 2024 19:17
Alex Croft
Why was a remote Moata’a village in Samoa chosen to welcome royals?
Thursday 24 October 2024 18:21
Alex Croft
The Polynesian country of Samoa is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including tropical cyclones and storm surges, flooding, and more severe and longer-lasting droughts like other Small Island Developing States.
Moata’a village was chosen to welcome the royals after the area was badly affected by flooding in 2018 and in response the community’s council developed a plan for future natural disasters and has established a mangrove conservation area which the King visited.
Moata’a village chief Tofaeono Lupati Fuatai said: “The King is the perfect advocate for us as a nation. Climate change is real, it is now and we must urge the world to acknowledge how perilous it is for nations such as ours.”
ICYMI: Husband and wife team behind Princess Diana’s wedding dress settle High Court claim
Thursday 24 October 2024 17:29
Alex Croft
The fashion designers behind Diana, Princess of Wales’s wedding dress have settled a High Court claim over the sale of the drawings for the famous royal gown.
David Emanuel had filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife Elizabeth Emanuel, claiming that she had infringed his copyright by reproducing drawings of the designs on which they had collaborated. The drawings, including those for Diana’s wedding dress, were put up for auction without his consent, he said.
The one-time husband and wife team announced on Friday that they had settled the case “amicably.” Terms of the settlement weren’t released.
Read the full report:
Pictured: Charles meets Samoan head of state
Thursday 24 October 2024 16:40
Alex Croft
Mike Tindall reveals what the late Queen was like behind closed doors
Thursday 24 October 2024 15:57
Alex Croft
Mike Tindall, the late Queen’s grandson-in-law, says the Queen’s life “wasn’t like an episode of Downton Abbey”.
The world cup winning rugby union player, who is married to the Queen’s granddaughtr Zara Tindall, revealed what the Queen was like behind closed doors in his joint book ‘The Good, The Bad and The Rugby - Unleashed’, released alongside podcast co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne.
"I'm sometimes asked if the Queen did informality like 'normal' people, and the answer to that is yes,” Mr Tindall said.
“Her life wasn't like an episode of Downton Abbey, with meals on long tables and everyone dressed in their finery every night, and Zara and I would often watch the racing with her on TV, as I'm sure lots of people reading this have done with their gran.
"Lunches were also relaxed, especially up in Scotland, where lunch would often be heading out into the open space of the Scottish Highlands for a picnic.
"There's a great picture of my daughter Mia sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh that captures exactly what those afternoons were like: members of a very close family who loved each other dearly spending precious time together. Yes, there's a lot of drama surrounding the royal family, but they aren't much different to anyone else underneath it all,” he added.
Mike Tindall’s awkward joke about ‘filling in’ Prince Harry
Thursday 24 October 2024 15:18
Alex Croft
Mike Tindall found himself in trouble after he joked about the royal family wanting to “fill Harry in”, podcast co-host James Haskell revealed.
Podcast hosts Tindall, Haskell, and Alex Payne have reelased a book called ‘The Good, the Bad & the Rugby - Unleashed’, in which Haskell revealed the awkward joke.
“[Mike] even got into a bit of trouble when he appeared on a live version of A Question of Sport: he told a story about him and Iain Balshaw pretending to punch Prince Harry at a post-World Cup final party in 2003 and joked that the royal family wanted to fill him in for real,” Mr Haskell explained.
“I say trouble but it was a bit of a minor kerfuffle, nothing to write home about.”
But the story came back into public consciousness when that “very odd bloke Omid Scobie started sticking up for Harry and Meghan,” Haskell wrote, according to the Mirror.
“Loads of trolls went in on Tins, especially about him wanting to fill in a young, defenceless Harry. All context, sarcasm and humour lost, when things are taken out of the zone they were meant to be in.”
Thursday 24 October 2024 14:42
Alex Croft
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.
UK foreign secretary ‘honoured’ to join King on state visit
Thursday 24 October 2024 14:06
Alex Croft
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.”
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.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) October 24, 2024
His Majesty The King continues that legacy of service. Honoured to accompany His Majesty for the first time on a State Visit. pic.twitter.com/UX9s1GMn8L
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Thursday 24 October 2024 13:32
Alex Croft
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.
King Charles submits plan to turn Balmoral into fairytale wedding venue
Thursday 24 October 2024 12:59
Alex Croft
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.
Read the full report:
Watch: Alpaca sneezes on King Charles during walkabout in Australia
Thursday 24 October 2024 12:26
Alex Croft
Princess Diana biographer Meghan Markle verdict: ‘She’s flawless about getting it all wrong’
Thursday 24 October 2024 11:53
Athena Stavrou
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:
King and Queen meet cricket team, rugby team, and church school
Thursday 24 October 2024 11:20
Alex Croft
King toils away deep into the night, Queen jokes
Thursday 24 October 2024 10:40
Alex Croft
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
Thursday 24 October 2024 10:07
Alex Croft
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.
A ‘colourful welcome’ for the King and Queen
Thursday 24 October 2024 09:33
Alex Croft
Thank you for such a colourful welcome to Moata’a Village!
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 24, 2024
Vi'ia le Ali'i i lo outou talimÄlÅ lelei ma le laufofoga fiafia i le pa'ia o le Afio’aga o Moata'a. Ua matagofie mea uma pic.twitter.com/JRLRzLD7Bs
In pictures: King Charles shelters from wet weather on National Park visit
Thursday 24 October 2024 09:04
Alex Croft
Slave trade reparations could be discussed at Commonwealth meeting
Thursday 24 October 2024 08:28
Alex Croft
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’
Thursday 24 October 2024 07:30
Namita Singh
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
Thursday 24 October 2024 07:27
Namita Singh
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
Thursday 24 October 2024 07:24
Namita Singh
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.
Watch moment King Charles heckled by Australian senator Lidia Thorpe
Thursday 24 October 2024 07:00
Alexander Butler
Pictures: King Charles joins Samoans to celebrate arts, sports and culture
Thursday 24 October 2024 06:50
Namita Singh
Why was a remote Moata'a village in Samoa chosen to welcome royals
Thursday 24 October 2024 06:37
Namita Singh
The Polynesian country of Samoa is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including tropical cyclones and storm surges, flooding, and more severe and longer-lasting droughts like other Small Island Developing States.
Moata’a village was chosen to welcome the royals after the area was badly affected by flooding in 2018 and in response the community’s council developed a plan for future natural disasters and has established a mangrove conservation area which the King visited.
Moata’a village chief Tofaeono Lupati Fuatai said: “The King is the perfect advocate for us as a nation. Climate change is real, it is now and we must urge the world to acknowledge how perilous it is for nations such as ours.”
In pictures: Charles visits O Le Pupu-Pue National Park
Thursday 24 October 2024 06:28
Namita Singh
UK cannot be protectionist amid Commonwealth economic opportunities, says Starmer
Thursday 24 October 2024 06:07
Namita Singh
Britain cannot afford to be “protectionist” as it attempts to boost growth, Sir Keir Starmer has warned, as he seeks to tap into the Commonwealth’s 19 trillion US dollar “economic heft”.
The prime minister is set to arrive in Samoa as the clock turns midnight on Thursday UK time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
His arrival comes amid a row about reparations for the UK’s historical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but Sir Keir has insisted the Commonwealth needs to face forward, not look backward.
Sir Keir will make history as the first UK prime minister to have visited a Pacific island nation, and will be in the company of King Charles, the head of the Commonwealth, during the gathering.
Report:
Charles and Camilla welcomed to Samoa with traditional tea ceremony
Thursday 24 October 2024 05:53
Namita Singh
The King was
