King 'hopes he survives long enough to see Samoa again'
It was a throwaway remark made by King Charles III that may have revealed the most about how he really feels about his cancer diagnosis.
As the 75-year-old left Samoa following a three-day royal visit, he told his Pacific island hosts, "I hope I survive long enough to come back and see you," as per the Telegraph UK.
"I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world", he told islanders as he was honoured with a chief title in the final ceremony of his visit.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave as they board The Royal Australian Air Force jet after their three day tour of Samoa Getty
He was awarded with the chiefly title of "To'aiga-O-Tumua" by the village's high chief during their third 'ava' ceremony, during which the monarch drank a sacred drink prepared from the roots of a kava plant, which is also a mild narcotic.
He drank from the same bowl his late mother Queen Elizabeth II did in 1977, with Ava bowls being are important symbols of Samoan hospitality, holding not just the beverage but also symbol of community unity and connection.
Charles only took a sip, but in 2022, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Michael McCormack notably "went cross-eyed" after drinking an entire bowl of kava.
McCormack, who was sent to the hospital and then "slept for 14 hours", specifically was drinking the sakau strain of the drink, which is stronger.
The chief had also told the monarch that his late mother and "your Papa Prince Philip" had been to Samoa before, sharing that the current "royal visit has lifted our house."
Charles was then asked to deliver an unscripted speech, during which he thanked the Samoan hosts for their "wonderful generosity" in bringing gifts, adding that the couple will take away "special memories of our time here.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend an official Royal 'Ava ceremonial' welcome at the National University of Samoa on October 24, 2024 in Apia, Samoa. The King's visit to Australia is his first as monarch, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa will be his first as head of the Commonwealth. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Getty
"We've been so impressed by the beautiful way in which all the villages have decorated the roadsides, it is something very special about Samoa," he said.
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