APIA, Samoa: King Charles III participated in a traditional kava-drinking ceremony in Samoa on Thursday as part of an 11-day tour of Australia and the Pacific.
During the ceremony, he was bestowed the honorary title of “Tui Taumeasina,” or high chief, by local Samoan leaders. This marked the king’s first visit to Samoa, a former British colony, where he engaged with Pacific traditions and addressed issues crucial to the region.
Dressed in a white suit, King Charles took part in the “ava” ritual, drinking the traditional kava brew prepared from the root of the kava plant, a vital cultural practice in the Pacific. Queen Camilla accompanied him, battling the tropical heat, as they both embraced Samoan customs.
Local chief Lenatai Victor Tamapua expressed honor in hosting the royal couple and used the occasion to highlight critical concerns, particularly the severe impact of climate change on Samoa. Rising sea levels and high tides have been eroding the island’s mangroves and food sources, posing serious threats to local communities.
King Charles’s visit coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where climate change and reparations for colonialism are key topics. Pacific island nations, such as Tuvalu and Fiji, are advocating for a “fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty” to curb emissions from larger
Commonwealth countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada. As one of the most climate-vulnerable regions, Pacific leaders stressed the urgency of reducing fossil fuel dependence to protect their islands.
King Charles’s role in the meeting and his high chief title further strengthens ties between the UK and the Pacific, with climate action and regional stability topping the agenda.
