King Charles was honoured with an ‘ava ceremony (Image: Getty Images)
The King was bestowed a new title this afternoon as he was welcomed to a traditional Samoan village.
Charles, 75, was proclaimed Tui-Taumeasuna (High Chief) by the Moata’a Village Chief who urged the monarch to “take a small part of Samoa away” with him.
The chief told of his admiration for the King and his efforts to highlight climate change throughout his life.
The small Pacific island of Samoa is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including tropical cyclones and storm surge, flooding, more severe and longer-lasting droughts.
Chief Tofaeono Iupati Fuatai said the decision to welcome Charles was in respect of the traditions of the village’s forefathers, adding: “When you are given a title like this, it is a big honour.”
A singer ahead of the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla for an Ava ceremony (Image: PA)
“We hope that the King takes a small part of Samoa away with him. Once he has the title of Tui-Taumeasina we also become part of him and he will be connected to our people and our lands forever.
“In the old days we believed in the conferring of a title as a mark of respect to one another and that is what we are doing today. When you confer such a title from the heart, we become bonded as one.”
Charles was bestowed the rare honour after Their Majesties arrived at Moata’a Village, having attended the spectacular ‘ava ceremony at the National University of Samoa earlier on Thursday.
The King and Queen were presented with floral lei (garlands) before taking seats at the top of the village hall.
Charles was presented with another cup of Ava as part of the welcome, pouring a portion out on the floor as a mark of respect before taking it in both hands and announcing: “May God bless this ‘ava”.
King Charles was formally named Tui-Taumeasuna on Wednesday (Image: Getty Images)
Chief Fuatai said the local community had come together to prepare for the big day, with elders joining with young people from the adjoining school to prepare the village hall.
Local MP Lenata’i Victor Tamapua led part of the ceremony to thank the royals for travelling to Samoa.
He announced the presentation of a finely woven straw mat to the King, a symbol of authority.
The Queen smiled as she was presented with a brightly coloured hand woven mat, matched to the colours of the Union Jack and the Samoan national flag.
The words Talofa, meaning hello, placed above the message ‘Welcome to Moataa, Your Majesty Queen Camilla’.
The King and Queen were given a number of gifts during the ceremony (Image: Getty Images)
Chief Tamapua said: “Being in your presence makes us feel as royals as well. Thank you very much.”
The issues of climate change is a huge issue for communities around Samoa.
Moata’a village was chosen to welcome Their Majesties after the area was badly affected by flooding in 2018.
The resulting damage highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities, especially in Small Island Developing States, to more extreme and frequent weather hazards we are seeing around the Commonwealth because of climate change.
The village council subsequently drew up a Community Integrated Management Plan and decided to establish a mangrove conservation area.
The chief 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.
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The royals were warmly greeted during their time in Samoa (Image: Getty Images)
“King Charles has the clout, he has the power to work wonders especially for small countries like Samoa.
“We hope that this visit will result in organisations helping out our efforts to try and sustain our environment and not be inundated by the waves and the winds and those agents that are affecting us in terms of climate change.”