King Charles and Queen Camilla of Britain departed Samoa after a visit where the monarch addressed the Commonwealth’s “painful” history, amidst calls for former colonial powers to pay reparations for their involvement in transatlantic slavery. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa focused on slavery and climate change, with representatives from 56 countries attending.
Charles and Camilla bid farewell to Samoa on a Royal Australia Air Force jet, concluding their visit with a ceremony in the village of Siumu. Despite opposition to reparations, the movement for ex-colonial powers to acknowledge and rectify the impact of slavery has gained traction globally.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, present at the summit, has rejected calls for reparations. The royal couple’s visit to Samoa followed a tour of Australia, where they engaged with Indigenous elders in Sydney. Charles’ interactions with Indigenous communities in Australia highlighted the ongoing conversation about historical injustices.
The eventful visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla underscores the complexities of history and the ongoing dialogue surrounding reparations and reconciliation.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.