Make no mistake, this was a big moment for the King who, for the first time in his life, delivered a landmark speech as Head of the Commonwealth.
In the past, he had attended Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings on behalf of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, but now he has cemented his spot in the top job.
King Charles recommitted himself to the family of nations “for as long as god grants me”; His Majesty’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year meant his attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this week had no guarantee.
Determined to carry out his duties, and with doctors’ permission, the King proudly stood on the stage in front of 56 heads of government from around the world, including Sir Keir Starmer.
King Charles cancer diagnosis earlier this year meant his attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this week had no guarantee.
PA
His Majesty paid poignant tribute to the legacy left by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and grandfather, King George VI, who were instrumental in their pioneering work to build up a handful of nations into the strong alliance the Commonwealth offers today.
This week, there has been a noticeable drive to debate slavery reparations, with some nations calling for “meaningful conversations” to take place.
British government ministers have ruled out paying slavery reparations, and parties on both sides of the political line appear to agree.
Former Conservative foreign minister, Lord Hugo Swire, told GB News: “I would like to look forwards, not backwards, and I think if there is to be a discussion about what we can do in this area, we should be concentrating on stamping out the evils of modern day slavery, which is pernicious and existing. That would be a huge acknowledgement of the ills of the past, if we dealt with the ills of the present.”
As a constitutional monarch, the King remains politically neutral, but does follow Government advice.
Reuters
As a constitutional monarch, the King remains politically neutral, but does follow Government advice.
Perhaps this is why His Majesty did choose to acknowledge the past, but stopped short of mentioning reparations, slavery or offering any kind of formal apology.
Addressing CHOGM from a Samoan hall, he said: “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.”
“It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history – to guide us to make the right choices in the future.”
Throughout the speech, the King’s power of soft diplomacy shone through – recognising, perhaps, that listening is just as important as speaking.
King Charles used his speech to call for harmony within the Commonwealth
Reuters
Some world leaders, are using their speaking skills more forcefully in the form of dictatorship.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the increased influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region have lead to an increasingly uncertain world.
King Charles used his speech to call for harmony within the Commonwealth, explaining: “At such 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.”
“Together we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time.”
King Charles is in this for the long game, uniting like-minded countries around the world with a shared mission to provide peace and prosperity for all.
