Chogm 2024: King Charles and Queen Camilla receive royal welcome in Samoa – in pictures
The 2024 Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Samoa is Charles’s first as head of the Commonwealth. He and the queen were greeted with a royal ‘ava ceremony and the king was given the title ‘Tui Taumeasina’, or high chief. Conservation was highlighted during the trip to the Pacific nation, with the royal couple visiting a reforestation project at O Le Pupu-Puʿe national park and a mangrove restoration project at Moata’a
· the GuardianKing Charles III shakes hands with a local resident as he meets villagers and community groups involved in the reforestation efforts at O Le Pupu-Puʿe national park, in Sa’agafou, Samoa.
Photograph: Toby Melville/REX/Shutterstock
Samoa’s prime minister, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa (L), speaks during the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) opening ceremony in Samoa’s capital, Apia.
Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AFP/Getty Images
King Charles III speaks at the Chogm opening ceremony.
Photograph: Ian Vogler/Reuters
Traditional dancers perform during a Samoa Cultural Village visit. The 2024 summit is the king’s first as head of the Commonwealth.
Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Canoeists take to the water as King Charles visits the Mangrove Restoration Project at Moata’a, near Apia. This project highlights the benefits of coastal biomes such as mangroves in maintaining climate-resilient landscapes.
Photograph: Toby Melville/REX/Shutterstock
Local rugby union players perform a Samoan war dance during the Samoa Cultural Village visit. The village celebrates the importance of traditional arts, crafts, culture, enterprise and sport in Samoa.
Photograph: Chris Jackson/REX/Shutterstock
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose with local villagers during their Samoa Cultural Village visit.
Photograph: Chris Jackson/REX/Shutterstock
King Charles and the Chogm secretary general, Patricia Scotland, talk during the opening ceremony.
Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP
Community members look on during an official royal ‘ava ceremonial welcome at the National University of Samoa.
Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Schoolchildren wait for King Charles III to visit O Le Pupu-Puʿe national park. The reforestation work at the park is part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a pan-Commonwealth initiative that highlights Queen Elizabeth’s service to the Commonwealth.
Photograph: Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Moata’a church hall where they will receive a short traditional ceremonial welcome, during which the king will be bestowed with a high chief title (Tui-Taumeasina) by proclamation.
Photograph: Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock
King Charles is kissed by resident Molly Faamanatu Nielsen as he visits the Mangrove Restoration Project at Moata’a.
Photograph: Toby Melville/REX/Shutterstock
Queen Camilla visits Moata’a’s aoga faifeau (pastor school/church school) to learn about the history and impact of the schools in villages.
Photograph: Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock
Local people wait for King Charles’s visit at the Mangrove Restoration Project at Moata’a.
Photograph: Toby Melville/REX/Shutterstock
Village community members wait for the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla before an official royal ‘ava ceremonial welcome at the National University of Samoa.
Photograph: Chris Jackson/REX/Shutterstock