Charles is all white! King and Queen Camilla beam in matching summery outfits as they are welcomed into Samoa with colourful ceremony reserved only for monarchs

The King and Queen have been honoured in a loud and colourful ‘ava ceremony in Samoa today.

King Charles was handed a bowl of a special drink made from the powdered roots of the treasured ‘ava plant – and ceremonially tipped a small portion on the ground, saying ‘May God Bless this ‘ava and ‘la manuia’, meaning ‘be prosperous’. 

Their Majesties had arrived at the National University of Samoa for the traditional Welcome Ceremony, which had been moved inside to an open-sided ‘fake’ after heavy rain throughout the morning in a police convoy.

The ‘ava’ ceremony was hosted 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 Falelatai Village.

Today’s is a special ceremony is reserved only for monarchs and a sign of great respect.

Several hundred members of the village community were seated at the ceremony, with village elders – covered in tatau – tattoos – from their waists down to their knees as a symbol of the seniority and roles sitting cross legged on mats on the ground.

The King and Queen were presented with ceremonial garlands known as lei on arrival. Charles’ was made of the dried fruit from the pandanus tree, while Camilla’s was a floral garland.

Men known as taulele’a from Falelatai village commenced the ceremony with the blowing of conch shells to signal the arrival of Their Majesties and will formed a ceremonial guard of honour carrying large to’oto’o, ceremonial staff which once acted as weapons.

Two men in traditional dress acted as ceremonial attendants.

Their Majesties walked to their seats in the marquee, accompanied by the Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa and his wife, Masiofo Faʻamausili Leinaf, which were on a raised stage.

The ceremony began with a short symbolic debate amongst the orators (‘talking chiefs’ or tulafale) to decide who will lead the welcome oration.

Large ‘ava roots were symbolically presented to the centre marquee.

These roots are not used in the ceremonial preparation of the ‘ava beverage, as dried and powdered root is used.

The ‘ava was prepared for the King by the daughter of the Chief, Leinafo Tuimalealufanu.

Four attendants assisted with the filtering of the ‘ava drink through a sieve made of the dried bark of the Fau tree.

Whilst the beverage was being prepared the ‘ava orator – or tufu’ava – explained the reason for the ceremony, before announcing when the ‘ava was about to be distributed.

All those present clapped slowly, according to tradition.

The server then called out the names of the guests to be served, in order of precedence, before carrying the cup to the honoured guests and presenting it with a sweep of their arm from right to left, to show the inner side of the forearm as a sign of respect.

His Majesty was presented with the ‘ava drink, accepting it graciously before tipping a small amount onto the ground, saying, ‘May God Bless this ‘ava’ and ‘la manuia’ (la–man-we-a), which means ‘be prosperous’.

Traditionally the recipients either sip the ‘ava or raise the cup in a symbolic gesture.

The ‘ava drink is was also presented to the Head of State and Prime Minister of Samoa.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of traditional gifts, which ware received by villagers on Their Majesties’ behalf.

Upon departure, Their Majesties also met briefly with selected village Chiefs and villagers involved in the ceremony.

‘Ava holds a significant place in Pacific traditions, with its origins deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the region.

For centuries, ‘ava (known in other Pacific countries as kava) has played a vital role in the rituals and celebrations of Pacific islanders.

It is not just a beverage, but a symbol of community unity and connection.

The preparation of ava is a meticulous process, involving the careful pounding of the root into a fine powder before mixing it with water.

This ritual is often performed in a communal setting, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among participants. Traditional embellishments to the ceremony are added for special guests of honour, hence the term ‘ava faatupu’ – an ‘ava ceremony for a King.

‘Ava ceremonies take place on important occasions in Samoa, such as the bestowal of a chiefly title, the welcoming and bidding farewell of guests and visitors, or at significant gatherings and meetings.

The ceremony includes speeches and the formal drinking of ‘ava by both male and female participants.

The ceremony is typically led by the High Chief of the hosting village. It brings together participants in a spirit of harmony and enables the hosts to show deep respect for their guests.

The ‘ava beverage is made from the dried roots of the ‘ava plant (Piper Methysticum). It is prepared in a shallow bowl known as a tanoa, which is made from the wood of the ifilele tree (Intsia bijuga).

The ‘ava ceremony is usually conducted with the hosts and their guests seated in a circle.

The ‘ava makers (aumaga) are seated in the centre of the circle. It is a great honour to be selected to serve as an aumaga. Traditionally, all daughters of Samoan chiefs are taught to prepare ‘ava, although both men and women may serve as aumaga.

When the beverage is ready, or as it is being prepared, the ‘ava orator (tufu’ava) will explain the reason for the ceremony and announce that the ‘ava is about to be distributed. All present clap loudly and slowly. The ‘ava server (tautu’ava) stands and begins distributing the ‘ava to each guest of chiefly rank, in a polished coconut shell cup known as a tauau or ipu tau ‘ava.

At today’s ceremony, the ‘ava was only distributed to His Majesty, the Head of State of Samoa, and the Prime Minister of Samoa.

As the ‘ava ceremony draws to a close, the guests of honour are traditionally presented with gifts. In today’s Royal ‘ava ceremony, Their Majesties were presented with a set of gifts known collectively as the sua faatamalii, reserved for the most highly ranked chiefs.

The Queen wore a White tunic and Palazzo trousers by Anna Valentine with gold fish earrings. 

King Charles looked particularly dapper in a bush jacket with trimming by Samoan school of fine art. 

Two men in traditional dress acted as ceremonial attendants, and one opened the proceedings welcoming the King and Queen.

He said: ‘The royal and traditional ‘Ava ceremony, the highest protocol of respect in the Samoan culture in honour of Your Majesties’ state visit to Samoa.

‘A symbol of friendship, safe passage and journey and the collective spirit of commonwealth as one family.

‘Thank you and God bless.’

A short symbolic debate amongst the orators (‘talking chiefs’ or tulafale) then began to decide who would lead the welcome oration.

Large ‘ava roots were symbolically presented to the centre marquee

For centuries, ‘ava – known in other Pacific countries as kava – has played a vital role in the rituals and celebrations of Pacific islanders. It is not just a beverage, but a symbol of community unity and connection.

The youngest daughter of the Chief, Maria Leinafo Tuimalealiifano, 30, then began to prepare the ‘ava drink, which is made from dried and powdered ‘ava root is used.

She has tattoos running from her thighs to her knees, which is considered a symbol of seniority.

Maria prepared the drink in a shallow bowl known as a tanoa, which is made from the wood of the ifilele tree, and carefully pounded the root into a fine powder before being mixed with water.

Four attendants – known as ‘ava makers or aumaga – ‘assisted with the filtering of the ‘ava drink through a sieve made of the dried bark of the Fau tree.

It is a great honour to be selected to serve as an aumaga.

Whilst the beverage is being prepared the ‘ava orator (tufu’ava) explained the reason for the ceremony and announced when the ‘ava is about to be distributed.

In response, all those present began to slowly clap.

The server will then called out the names of the guests to be served, in order of precedence.

As a sign of respect, the server will carry the cup to the guests and present it with a sweep of the arm from right to left, to show the inner side of the forearm to the guest.

The ‘Ava drink was presented to the King in a coconut shell, accepting it he tipped a small onto the ground, saying, ‘May God Bless this ‘ava’ and ‘la manuia’, which means ‘be prosperous’, before taking a sip.

The ‘ava drink was similarly presented to the Head of State and Prime Minister of Samoa.

Two women then bowed before presenting Their Majesties with ceremonial garlands, known as lei.

The King’s was made of the dried fruit from the pandanus tree and The Queen’s was a beautiful floral garland.

Traditional gifts, known collectively as the sua faatamalii, were presented to the villagers on behalf of the King and Queen, in a sign that the ceremony had come to an end.

A butchered pig was also presented but that will be gifted back to the village.

‘Ava ceremonies take place on important occasions in Samoa, such as the bestowal of a chiefly title, the welcoming and bidding farewell of guests and visitors, or at significant gatherings and meetings.

Traditional embellishments to the ceremony are added for special guests of honour, with the one held today known as the ‘ava faatupu’ – an ‘ava ceremony for a King.

Upon departure, Their Majesties will also briefly meet selected village Chiefs and villagers involved in the ceremony.