King Charles III was honored with the title of "high chief" during a traditional kava-drinking ceremony in Samoa on Thursday, marking a historic moment in the British monarch's first visit to the Pacific island nation.

As part of his 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa, the 75-year-old king participated in a cultural ritual that is deeply rooted in Pacific tradition. The kava, a mildly intoxicating drink made from the roots of the pepper plant, was ceremoniously prepared and presented to the king in a half-coconut shell by local chiefs. The kava was first paraded around a carved wooden longhouse and filtered through dried bark by the chief's daughter before being offered to King Charles.

Dressed in a white safari-style suit, King Charles took a sip of the drink and uttered the words, "May God bless this ava," in acknowledgment of the ceremony's significance. The king was then bestowed with the title "Tui Taumeasina," signifying his new role as a high chief in the village of Moata’a. Queen Camilla, seated beside him, fanned herself in the tropical heat as the ceremony unfolded.

"We feel honored that he has chosen to be welcomed here in our village," said local chief Lenatai Victor Tamapua, who expressed excitement over the king’s visit. "As a gift, we wanted to bestow him a title."

The ceremony, filled with traditional elements such as bare-chested Samoans adorned with tribal tattoos, also carried a message of environmental concern. Tamapua spoke to King Charles about the impact of rising tides on the island’s mangroves, a critical ecosystem for the community’s food sources. "The high tides are chewing away at our reef and where the mangroves are," Tamapua said, highlighting the devastating effects of climate change that are threatening the livelihoods of Pacific islanders.

Climate Change and Commonwealth Leadership

King Charles' visit to Samoa coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where the pressing issue of climate change is taking center stage. Pacific nations, which are among the most climate-threatened regions in the world, have been urging major Commonwealth nations, including Australia, Britain, and Canada, to take stronger action on reducing fossil fuel emissions.

Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Fiji have called for a "fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty" as part of the meeting’s agenda, challenging wealthier nations to lead the charge in reducing emissions that have long contributed to climate change. According to Vanuatu’s special envoy for climate change, Ralph Regenvanu, "As a Commonwealth family, we look to those that dominate fossil fuel production to stop the expansion of fossil fuels in order to protect what we love and hold dear here in the Pacific."

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, acknowledged that the country has work to do, stating, "We know we have a lot of work to do, and I've been upfront with every partner in the Pacific."

The Commonwealth meeting is also addressing the legacy of colonialism, with discussions around reparations for slavery and colonialism featuring prominently. Candidates for the next Commonwealth secretary-general have voiced their support for climate financing as a form of reparative justice.

King Charles, who has long been an advocate for environmental causes, is expected to deliver a keynote address at a leaders' banquet on Friday. His first official trip to Samoa as monarch underscores both the cultural significance of his role and the urgent global issues that are reshaping the Pacific region.

A Royal First in Samoa

This visit marks the first time King Charles has set foot on Samoan soil, a former British colony that now stands as an independent member of the Commonwealth. His visit was met with excitement from the local population, many of whom regard his presence as a symbol of unity between Samoa and the British monarchy.

For the people of Moata’a, King Charles' new title as "Tui Taumeasina" cements his connection to their community and the shared responsibilities of preserving both culture and environment in the face of growing challenges.