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King says painful past still hurts amid calls for slavery reparations – live

King says painful past still hurts amid calls for slavery reparations – live

King Charles heckled by Australian senator: ‘Give us our land back’

King Charles has acknowledged that the “most painful aspects” the Commonwealth’s past “continue to resonate”, as he indirectly acknowledged growing calls for slavery reprations in Samoa.

The gathering of presidents and prime ministers for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) could see member states begin a “meaningful conversation” about the issue of reparations for slavery, according to reports.

The monarch acknowledged the need to “acknowledge where we have come from” as he told world leaders at the summit: “None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.”

But Charles stopped short of mentioning financial reparations that some leaders at the event urged for and instead exhorted them to find the “right language” and an understanding of history “to guide us towards making the right choices in future where inequality exists”.

Earlier in the day, Charles enjoyed a truly royal welcome as he was declared the “High Chief” of his Pacific realm in a traditional Samoan village.

The King, dressed in white safari-style gear, was offered a mildly-intoxicating narcotic root drink in a half coconut, known locally as “kava”, a vital element of Pacific culture.

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Pictured: World leaders gather at Samoa dinner recpetion

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attend an official dinner and reception for the Commonwealth Heads of Government
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attend an official dinner and reception for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (Toby Melville/PA Wire)
(Toby Melville/PA Wire)
(Toby Melville/PA Wire)
(Toby Melville/PA Wire)

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 12:22

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Queen praises staff and volunteers safeguarding victims of abuse in Samoa

The Queen has praised the staff and volunteers safeguarding victims of abuse in Samoa for doing a “wonderful job”.

Camilla visited the Samoa Victims Support Group (SVSG) and toured a small campus where up to 100 abused children are given care and an education, while domestic abuse victims receive support and counselling.

After opening the Queen Camilla Pre-School of Hope, the King’s wife told members of the organisation: “You’re doing such a wonderful job for these children I will go back to Britain with fond memories.”

She suggested possible support for the organisation that relies on donations and fundraising, when she said she would see if she could “help you”.

Camilla toured the pre-school which was filled with donated toys, books and furniture and said: “It’s got everything here, it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 11:51

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Watch: King tells world leaders ‘the past cannot be changed’ in landmark Commonwealth speech

Charles used his first speech to the Commonwealth’s biennial summit in Samoa as head of the family of nations, to stress how the relationship between member states meant “we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect.”

In his landmark speech on Thursday (24 October), Charles said: “None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.”

Watch: King tells world leaders ‘the past cannot be changed’ in landmark speech

The King has told world leaders the past cannot be changed but nations can “commit” to “right inequalities that endure”. Charles used his first speech to the Commonwealth’s biennial summit in Samoa as head of the family of nations, to stress how the relationship between member states meant “we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect.” In his landmark speech on Thursday (24 October), Charles said: “None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.”

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 11:20

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No plans to hold weddings for the public at the King’s Balmoral Estate

There are no plans to host weddings for members of the public on the King’s Balmoral Estate, a spokesman for the royal residence has said.

Weddings are mentioned in plans a representative for the Aberdeenshire estate had lodged for the Queen’s Building, on the grounds near Balmoral Castle.

The plans state the venue “may be used for weddings, dinners, meetings and associated events”, which it said would be “rare throughout the year”.

But a spokesman for the estate said: “There are no plans for Balmoral to host weddings as a commercial venture.”

(PA Archive)

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 10:50

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Charles leads a toast at official Commonwealth dinner

King Charles is currently hosting an official dinner and reception for the Commonwealth Heads of Government at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

The monarch appeared to be in good spirits as he was joined by the likes of Sir Keir Starmer as he made a toast following a speech at the even in Apia, Samoa.

(Toby Melville/PA Wire)
(Toby Mellville/PA Wire)
(Toby Melville/PA Wire)

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 10:20

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King acknowledges enduring pain of Commonwealth’s past

King Charles has acknowledged that the “most painful aspects” the Commonwealth’s past “continue to resonate”, as he indirectly acknowledged growing calls for slavery reprations in Samoa.

The gathering of presidents and prime ministers for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) could see member states begin a “meaningful conversation” about the issue of reparations for slavery, according to reports.

The monarch acknowledged the need to “right inequalites that endure” as he told world leaders at the summit: “None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.”

He added: “Our cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from. I understand, from listening to people across the Commonwealth, how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.”

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 09:50

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Pictured: King Charles III and Queen Camilla host an official dinner and reception

(Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
(Toby Mellville/PA Wire)
(Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 09:00

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Commonwealth connections ‘more previous than ever’ in time of ‘horrifying conflict’, says King

The King has told world leaders about the importance of “connections” in a time of “ heightened global tensions” and “horrifying conflict”.

Charles used his first speech to the Commonwealth’s biennial summit in Samoa as head of the family of nations, to stress the importance of their relationships.

“At a time of heightened global tensions, of horrifying conflict and challenges of the greatest magnitude, it seems to me that these connections between us are more precious than ever,” he told the gathered leaders.

(Ian Vogler/The Daily Mirror/PA Wire)

Athena Stavrou25 October 2024 08:27

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King toils away deep into the night, Queen jokes

Long after the Queen has gone to sleep, the King can be found “toiling” away into the small hours.

That’s what Queen Camilla joked of her 75-year-old husband’s diligence, as she gave a speech praising the work ethic of women.

At an event in Samoa led by leading domestic abuse campaigners from around the world, Camilla told the audience the legend of the men and women who were tasked with thatching the roof of Samoan chief Tautunu’s house.

“Although they started at the same time, the women finished their side first, as they had laboured through the night, while the men slept,” she told attendees of the women’s forum event at the major summit for Commonwealth leaders in Samoa.

“As one whose husband is often toiling into the small hours, long after my head is on the pillow, I should stress there are plenty of exceptions,” she added.

“But the moral of the proverb is: Women will turn their hands successfully to any task that must be done; and will work hard until it is completed.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 October 2024 08:00

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Indigenous Australian senator intensifies criticism of King Charles

An Indigenous senator has intensified her criticism of King Charles, again accusing the British monarch of complicity in the “genocide” against Australia’s First Nations peoples and declaring on Wednesday she will not be “shut down.”

Sen. Lidia Thorpe’s comments followed an encounter with the monarch at a parliamentary reception Monday where she was escorted out after shouting at him for British colonizers taking Indigenous land and bones.

Despite facing political and public backlash, Thorpe was resolute in a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and said she would continue to press for justice.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 October 2024 07:30