The King and Queen of England recently bid farewell to Samoa after their four-day state visit to the island country. During their final day, King Charles III and a teary-eyed Queen Camilla were honored in a heartfelt farewell ceremony that captured the vibrant spirit of Samoan culture.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the farewell ceremony during their royal tour to Australia and Samoa in Apia, Samoa on October 26, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Rain poured down heavily as the couple arrived for the event. Shielded under umbrellas, Charles and Camilla made their way along a damp red carpet to a stage that was decorated with colorful woven mats and fresh floral garlands.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III arriving for the farewell ceremony. | Source: Getty Images
The King, who received the honorary title of To’aiga-o-Tumua of the village of Siumu, and the Queen were then seated on large golden thrones and welcomed with words of honor by village elders dressed in traditional attire.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Samoan locals and officials. | Source: Getty Images
During the farewell, the royals observed an “ava ceremony,” which is an ancient rite involving the preparation of a drink from the ava plant. In a solemn moment, the specially prepared concoction was presented to Charles in a polished coconut shell, which the senior royal graciously accepted and sipped from.
King Charles III | Source: Getty Images
Amid these cultural exchanges, villagers braved the rain, performing for the royals in a series of dances and presentations.
One highlight of the farewell was a dynamic war dance demonstration, where dancers wielded flaming sticks — a sight that left the royals both captivated and amused.
A Samoan villager performing for Queen Camilla and King Charles III. | Source: Getty Images
During the event, Charles highlighted his connection to Samoa and his gratitude for the region’s unwavering hospitality, “I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world and hope that I survive long enough to come back again and see you.”
King Charles III | Source: Getty Images
He also noted his admiration for the locals who had gone out of their way to welcome them by decorating roadsides and leaving gifts at their hotel daily.
In another touching moment, a Samoan chief addressed the King directly and acknowledged the royal family’s legacy in Samoa by saying, “Your Papa Prince Philip was here, so were your brothers. So thank you for making the time. Your royal visit has lifted our house.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Samoan locals and officials. | Source: Getty Images
According to reports, the heartfelt farewell also involved the exchange of gifts, which included a special embroidered mat and fly whisks.
When it was time to leave, the couple made their way to the Faleolo VIP Terminal in a motorcade, where they briefly greeted the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, the Minister of Environment, and the Police Commissioner.
King Charles III interacting with a Samoan before boarding The Royal Australian Air Force jet after the farewell. | Source: Getty Images
The King and Queen were then pictured waving goodbye to those who had gathered to send them off from the steps of the Royal Australian Air Force jet.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla waving goodbye. | Source: Getty Images
While the farewell ceremony was rich with vibrant traditions and heartfelt gestures, it was Camilla’s tears that captured the attention of netizens.
Queen Camilla | Source: Getty Images
At one point, she was also seen using her hands to wipe underneath her eyes, while shielding her face with an ornate fan. Video footage posted on TikTok by the Daily Mail’s royals account offered followers a closer look at her emotional response and contextualized Camilla’s tears.
