Queen Camilla’s emotional state during a royal tour raised concerns among netizens, particularly during a vibrant traditional ceremony.
The King and Queen of England recently concluded their four-day state visit to Samoa. On their final day, a heartfelt farewell ceremony took place, honoring King Charles III and a visibly emotional Queen Camilla, showcasing the lively spirit of Samoan culture.
As rain fell heavily, the couple arrived at the event, navigating a wet red carpet while sheltered under umbrellas. They made their way to a stage adorned with vibrant woven mats and fresh flower garlands.
The King, who was bestowed the honorary title of To’aiga-o-Tumua by the village of Siumu, and the Queen were seated on grand golden thrones, welcomed with respectful words from village elders in traditional attire.
During the farewell, the royals participated in an “ava ceremony,” an ancient ritual that involves preparing a drink from the ava plant. In a poignant moment, the specially made drink was presented to King Charles III in a polished coconut shell, which he graciously accepted and sipped from.
Despite the rain, villagers showcased their culture with a series of dances and performances for the royals.
A standout moment was a lively war dance, where dancers skillfully handled flaming sticks, captivating and amusing the royal couple.
During the event, King Charles III expressed his deep connection to Samoa and gratitude for the region’s warm hospitality, stating, “I will always be devoted to this part of the world and hope to return and see you all again.”
He expressed his appreciation for the locals who made a special effort to welcome them by decorating the roads and leaving daily gifts at their hotel.
In another moving moment, a Samoan chief spoke directly to the King, acknowledging the royal family’s history in Samoa: “Your Papa Prince Philip was here, as were your brothers. Thank you for making the time for us. Your royal visit has uplifted our community.”
Reports indicate that the emotional farewell also featured a gift exchange, which included a specially embroidered mat and fly whisks.
As it was time to depart, the couple traveled to the Faleolo VIP Terminal in a motorcade, where they briefly greeted Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment, and the Police Commissioner.
The King and Queen were then photographed waving goodbye to the crowd that had gathered to see them off from the steps of the Royal Australian Air Force jet.
While the farewell ceremony was filled with vibrant traditions and heartfelt gestures, it was Queen Camilla’s tears that drew the attention of netizens.
At one moment, she was seen using her hands to wipe her eyes while shielding her face with an ornate fan. Video footage shared on TikTok by the Daily Mail’s royals account provided a closer look at her emotional response and offered context for Queen Camilla’s tears.
In the post’s caption, the account noted that Queen Camilla began to cry when Samoan leaders honored King Charles III and referenced his ongoing battle with cancer.
Later, she shed tears of joy while laughing about how the rain had caused technical difficulties during some of the proceedings.
Queen Camilla’s tearful expression prompted a wave of sympathetic responses from netizens, who turned to social media to share their concern and support. One observer commented, “so [sic] sad for her 😢.”
Another wondered, “why is she crying [sic] 😢,” while someone else penned, “Bless her!” “Aww what happened [sic] – I hope she’s OK!” expressed a social media user. Echoing the sentiment, another reiterated, “Hope she [sic] okay 🥰.”
During their visit to Samoa, Queen Camilla and King Charles III enjoyed a warm and culturally rich itinerary filled with events that showcased the island’s traditions and natural beauty.
Among the highlights, aside from the farewell ceremony, was a royal dinner hosted for Commonwealth Heads of Government at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.
This exclusive event featured contributions from both Samoan and British teams, with chefs, artisans, and officials working together to create a memorable evening in the museum’s gardens, dedicated to the renowned author of “Treasure Island.”
Earlier in their visit, King Charles III showed his commitment to environmental conservation by planting a tree in a new garden created in his honor.
The tree, which is part of the island’s “Talafalu for Pepe a’e” scheme, was specifically chosen to help support the endangered Samoan swallowtail butterfly.
Reportedly, King Charles III asked local staff to monitor the tree’s growth and requested regular updates and photographs to witness it flourish under Samoa’s tropical climate.