Their Majesties The King and Queen have begun a momentous Autumn Tour, which will see them visit Australia and Samoa, culminating in their attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024.
The tour, which runs from Friday 18th to Saturday 26th October, marks The King’s first visit to a Commonwealth Realm as Monarch and the first CHOGM The King will attend as Head of the Commonwealth.
A Royal Visit to Australia
The King and Queen’s visit to Australia will highlight the best of Australian culture and sustainability efforts. The tour begins in Canberra, where The King, as Head of State, accompanied by Her Majesty The Queen, will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House and attend a reception celebrating Australians who have made outstanding contributions to health, culture, arts, and sports.
The visit to the Australian War Memorial, where Their Majesties will lay a wreath in honour of the Fallen, underscores The King and Queen’s respect for Australia’s military history. They will also visit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial, ‘For Our Country.’
In Sydney, The King will conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy in Sydney Harbour, and visit CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, to learn about efforts to combat bushfires. The King’s passion for environmental sustainability will be further explored during a visit to the National Botanic Gardens, where he will learn about Indigenous plant use and the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty will focus on issues close to her heart, including literacy and domestic violence. In Sydney, The Queen will meet children at a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop, and in Canberra, she will engage in discussions with survivors and experts on domestic and family violence.
The Royal couple will experience Australia’s cultural diversity firsthand at a community BBQ in Western Sydney, where they will sample local produce and meet with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.
State Visit to Samoa
Following their time in Australia, Their Majesties will travel to Samoa for a State Visit, celebrating the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations. The visit will feature a formal ‘Ava Fa’atupu ceremony to welcome Their Majesties and engagements highlighting Samoan traditions and culture.
The King’s agenda in Samoa will reflect his ongoing commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, including visits to a mangrove forest and a National Park, where he will observe community-led conservation efforts. His Majesty will plant a tree in the Samoa Botanical Garden to mark the opening of ‘The King’s Garden.’
Her Majesty will continue her work on literacy and domestic violence by visiting a traditional Samoan Pastor’s School and the Samoa Victim Support Group, where she will learn about the services provided to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
CHOGM 2024 in Samoa
Their Majesties will conclude their tour with attendance at CHOGM 2024, which gathers leaders from 56 Commonwealth nations. The theme of this year’s summit, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Common Wealth,” reflects The King’s vision of a united Commonwealth working toward resilient societies, institutions, environments, and economies.
As Head of the Commonwealth, The King will attend the CHOGM Opening Ceremony and host a dinner for Commonwealth Heads of Government. He will also engage with new heads of government and attend discussions on sustainable urbanisation and climate change.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment will be a focal point of the summit, with The Queen attending a forum event on eliminating violence against women and improving health for women and girls in the Commonwealth.
This tour underscores The King and Queen’s commitment to championing important causes, fostering international relationships, and celebrating the rich cultures of the Commonwealth.
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