The Sinalei Resort in Siumu is continuing preparations to host the head of the Commonwealth and British Monarch King Charles III.
He will be part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October. Security checks at the hotel are still ongoing, Samoa Observer can reveal.
There were speculations about the arrival of the King following an official statement from the Palace about his health condition. Samoa Observer also understands that Queen Camilla will accompany the King for the October trip.
In an interview with the Samoa Observer, owner of the Sinalei Resort, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale confirmed that they will host the British monarch and that security checks are continuing.
“What is confirmed is that the British delegation will be hosted here and for the arrival of His Majesty, the security inspections are still ongoing,” he said.
“There is official confirmation that the King will be coming to the meeting which was questioned due to his medical condition but he has now confirmed that he is coming.”
As part of the village’s preparations, they asked the British High Commission whether they could host an ava ceremony to welcome the King but are yet to hear back.
According to Tuatagaloa, an ava ceremony would be the most suited way to welcome King Charles III to the country. He said it would be a way to show the Samoan culture to the King.
“The British High Commission knows that there is such a request and it would be nice for His Majesty to be part of that ceremony to be part of our culture. They come all this way and this is one way that our people can show that we have a living culture,” he said.
Special inspections were conducted last year by the Royal security experts and there is likely to be another in July.
As one of the security criteria for hosting the monarch and the Head of the Commonwealth, Sinalei Resort will have to close for at least one week before his arrival which Tuatagaloa confirmed in a previous interview.
He added that they have also sought the assistance of the village for security purposes, by lending a hand in guarding outside of the resort mainly in the village.
Asked whether his staff is ready to host and welcome King Charles with an outstanding welcoming performance, Tuatagaloa said “Not yet but they have time from now until his arrival to prepare.
