Samoa: British King Charles delivers royal lecture on historical wrongs

APIA: In a grand display of royal duty, King Charles III of the United Kingdom, the empire where the sun never set, decided to share his deep insight and experience into the historical wrongs against indigenous people his country ruled—exploited—over for centuries.

During the Commonwealth Heads of Governed Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, the British monarch, Charles, in all his luxury and pomp delivered his inaugural address as the Head of the Commonwealth.

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The British monarch took the opportunity to graciously remind everyone that while history cannot be rewritten, we can certainly about it–echoing the wise, prudent words his mother, Elizabeth II, uttered when she reminded Indians to just “move on” from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Charles sagely proclaimed that while “we cannot alter the past, we can commit ourselves to learning from it and discovering innovative methods  to rectify the enduring inequalities”.

A noble sentiment indeed! So when is the Koh-i-Noor returning to its native homeland, and while we are it, the treasures world over stolen – ahem, borrowed from indigenous cultures sitting pristinely in the Museum of London?

The British monarch urged all commonwealth leaders to engage in  a constructive dialogue about the painful legacies of colonialism; in particular, the transatlantic slave trade.

What he failed to mention were reparations. Centuries of colonial oppression, complete erasure of indigenous culture and languages, but hey, some people can easily move on!

Charles called for a “respectful” dialogue, stating “I have the most painful elements of our history continue to resonate today”.

Meanwhile, the British government has been under pressure from activists to discuss financial reparations for the transatlantic slave trade during this year’s CHOGM.

However, as classic British behaviour as is tea-drinking, they opted for a more “diplomatic” approach. While the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, did acknowledge the importance of reparations, he insisted that it was time to “look forward”. Guess everyone took their lesson from the Queen seriously!

King Charles also talked about the need for education and opportunities (which of course, a historically exploited former colony reduced to abject poverty can afford for all its citizenry), for students from smaller Commonwealth nations.

“Where disparities exist, such as in access to education, skills training, employment, and healthcare, we must identify effective strategies and appropriate language to address these challenges”.

Our esteemed, totally-in-touch-with-masses monarch living in modestly in Buckingham Palace and taking economy class planes touched on the pressing issues facing world today: climate change.

“If we fail to act, the inequalities within the Commonwealth and beyond will only deepend”, he astutely observed. Indeed!

He also touched upon terrorism and extremism plaguing the world since 9/11. The British king cautioned that the world should already aware of the ticking time bomb before it was too late.

Charles paused his cancer treatment to be able to address the Commonwealth summit as the British head.

He concluded his speech by reiterating his commitment to the Commonwealth and praised the legacy of his dear mother, the last remnant of the British Empire in her waning days of colonial glory.

He mentioned Elizabeth II’s ‘undying’ dedication to the Commonwealth.

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Meanwhile, Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’fa, also praised the late British queen’s legacy, while the Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland welcomed Charles’ speech.

Following his address, the British monarch is going to host a dinner for all the attending heads of states or governments.