King Charles has claimed his “doctor’s orders” are halting his “lifelong aspiration” from becoming a reality.
Charles, 75, travelled to Samoa to address his first meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government since becoming King.
The King and Queen hosted delegates from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson in Apia, the Samoan capital.
During a speech, King Charles gave a royal health update after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
Royal health update: King Charles claims ‘doctor’s orders’ are halting his ‘lifelong aspiration’
PA
Charles told the 80 guests who had joined him that it “remains a lifelong aspiration” to visit all 56 Commonwealth countries, “although nowadays it seems to be a race against our happily increasing numbers — as well as doctor’s orders!”
In what was the only evening engagement of their nine-day visit to Australia and Samoa, the King and Queen Camilla embraced island life by dressing casually for the event.
On the royals’ final night in the country, Charles spoke warmly of his affection for the family of nations, saying: “The Commonwealth can surely be a source of hope.”
He added that while “dark clouds gathered”, international challenges required international solutions and that “dialogue and discussion” was the way to achieve peace.
Amid growing calls for reparations for Britain’s role in the slave trade, the King appeared to tackle the contentious issue by saying “None of us can change the past”.
At the Chogm opening ceremony, Charles urged world leaders to “commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons” while he urged every nation to understand each other’s history “to guide us to make the right choices in the future”.
In a personal and heartfelt address, Charles also revealed how he had come to recognise through listening to people across the 56 represented nations “how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”.
In his landmark speech, he said: “As we look around the world and consider its many deeply concerning challenges, let us choose within our Commonwealth family the language of community and respect, and reject the language of division.
The King is currently undergoing a tour of Samoa
Reuters
King Charles speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa
PA
“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.”
Charles, who has been undergoing weekly treatment for cancer after being diagnosed in February, also assured those gathered that he would continue his duties in representing them for as long as he is able.
He added: “For my part, I can assure you today that for however many years God grants me, I will join you and the people of the Commonwealth on every step of this journey.
“Let us learn from the lessons of the past. Let us be proud of who we are today. And together, let us forge a future of harmony with nature, and between ourselves, that our children and our grandchildren deserve.”
