By james art King Charles III and Queen Camilla were officially welcomed to Samoa with a royal ceremony that saw them wear ceremonial garlands and drink special coconut shell tea.
Organized by the head of state of Samoa and his village, the awa ceremony is a special event reserved only for monarchs.
Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, were received by the Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, Le Afioga ia Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, and ceremonial attendants from the village of Falelatai upon their arrival at the National University of Samoa on Thursday.
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Men known locally as taulele’a from the village of Falelatai began the ceremony by blowing conch shells to signal the arrival of Their Majesties and forming a ceremonial guard of honour.
Two men in traditional dress acted as ceremonial attendants, and one opened the proceedings by welcoming the King and Queen.
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At the end of the ceremony, a garland of dried fruits from the pandanus tree was placed around the king’s neck, while the queen had a floral garland, and they were presented with an array of gifts of finely woven mats next to the pig’s carcass.