Royal news live: King Charles says painful past still hurts as calls for slavery reparations grow in Samoa

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.”

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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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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