King and Queen arrive in Samoa for three-day state visit

The King and Queen arrived in Samoa for their first state visit, saying they “can’t wait” to see the country.

The couple touched down on Wednesday evening after a direct Royal Australian Air Force flight from their royal visit to Australia.

They greeted the country with the words “Feiloa’i ma le manuia!”, which loosely translates as “look forward to meeting the Samoan people”, and were welcomed on the runway by dignitaries and Samoan police, who played the national anthems.

The King and Queen are on the small Pacific island for a three-day state visit, when the King will officially open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

King Charles wore a light gray suit and Queen Camilla wore a pink embroidered tunic and white palazzo pants by Anna Valentine.

They were ceremonially received at Faleolo International Airport’s VIP terminal with an honor guard made up of police officers, as the island nation does not have an official army.

They were welcomed on the plane by the Prime Minister of Samoa and David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary.

After arriving and greeting the dignitaries, the King held a brief private audience with the Samoan Prime Minister.

The King will participate in his first CHOGM as head of the organization while in Samoa, as well as enjoying the best of the country’s culture and traditions.

As they traveled to their seaside resort for their stay, they passed coastal villages freshly painted in the colors of the Commonwealth countries.

Flags lined roads across the island, with flower pots decorated to match.

A statement published by the royal family’s official X account said: “As we head to Apia, we can’t wait to visit Samoa for the first time together and experience the warmth of ancient traditions with its remarkable people. Feiloa’i ma le manuia!”

The King will formally open CHOGM, at which Sir Keir Starmer will also be present. Both are expected to come under significant pressure regarding slave trade reparations.

While in Samoa, the King and Queen will receive an official Ava ceremonial reception at the National University of Samoa, at which they will be offered a local drink specializing in one of the island’s most important rituals.

It involves sharing a ceremonial drink “ava”, made with the dried roots of the native kava plant mixed with water and drunk from a coconut shell.

The King will meet with university students and receive a new title of Paramount Chief in the village of Moata’a.

The Queen, meanwhile, will visit a religious school and a women’s forum focusing on domestic violence.

Both will spend time at the Samoan Cultural Village, which celebrates traditional arts, crafts, culture, entrepreneurship and sport.

On Friday, the King will spend the day at CHOGM, which brings together delegations from 56 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

He will deliver a speech, welcome new heads of government and attend a celebratory dinner on one of his most significant days of service since his cancer diagnosis.