King to talk unity, as slavery casts a shadow in Samoa

King Charles is expected to tell world leaders in Samoa that unity is their strength, enabling them to tackle the "demands of our time", when he officially opens a major Commonwealth summit for the first time.

Charles will address presidents and prime ministers when he launches the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa on Friday, saying "all nations are equal in this unique and voluntary association" which "is committed to developing free and democratic societies".

The event will be a milestone moment for the UK's head of state, who is expected to highlight the purpose and strengths of the "family of nations".

He is also expected to speak about the importance of recognising and understanding the path of history, and where that may have given rise to contemporary challenges.

World leaders will elect the new Commonwealth secretary-general to replace Baroness Scotland during their meeting and all three candidates vying for the job have called for reparations to countries that were affected by slavery and colonialism.

Ahead of the summit the Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted Sir Keir Starmer would not be discussing reparations at Chogm this week.

But BBC News reported that officials of Commonwealth nations are looking at an agreement that could begin conversations on the issue through a communique.

The King and Queen arrived in Samoa on Wednesday after a six-day tour of Australia where Charles was confronted by Senator Lidia Thorpe, who accused the King of grievances against First Nations people dating back centuries, including "genocide".

Charles is expected to say that thanks to its scale and diversity the Commonwealth can "discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect", and that is never more important than at times of tensions and conflict around the world.

The King is due to tell representatives from the Commonwealth's 56 member states: "Together we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time".

Charles will pay tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II and the special role the Commonwealth - which she was head of throughout her 70-year reign - played in her life.

Elizabeth had a strong affinity for the family of nations, an institution formed just three years before her reign began in 1952, when eight countries - Australia, Britain, Ceylon, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Canada - signed the Declaration of London.

Charles will preside over the meeting, taking part for the first time as its head, and hosting an evening banquet.

After opening the global summit he will play no part in the discussions between the presidents and prime ministers - including Sir Keir - which take place informally behind closed doors and unusually no advisers or aides are present.

Highlighting environmental issues was central to Charles's public life when he was Prince of Wales and he is expected to speak of the "existential threat" of climate change and its impact on many Commonwealth nations and how public-private partnerships can help address the issues.

Samoa is among the group of small island developing states on the front line of climate change and on Thursday the King visited a mangrove restoration project established in a Samoan village after floods to help mitigate future natural disasters.