King Charles delivers landmark speech at CHOGM with moving tribute to late Queen Elizabeth

delivered a landmark speech at his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting since becoming Head of the Commonwealth this morning.

He paid tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, who dedicated much of her life to the Commonwealth and its prosperity.

Addressing Commonwealth leaders, foreign ministers and dignitaries inside the Tuanaimato Sports Complex, the King said: "The Commonwealth mattered a great deal to my dear mother, The late Queen. Her commitment to you all, as that of my grandfather, King George VI, before her, is one which has helped to shape my own life for as long as I can remember."

Today Charles, 75, is wearing a camel-coloured suit, owl-patterned tie and ceremonial lei (garland), after ditching his formal attire yesterday for a more relaxed short-sleeved bush jacket and trousers in keeping with Samoan culture and more fitting with the humid temperatures.

The sounds of birds squawking could be heard from the closed roof as the King spoke, with the Queen watching from the front row of the audience.

He continued: "I have travelled to almost every corner of the Commonwealth, I have met remarkable people in every conceivable walk of life, and learned a great deal from so many proud cultures and traditions. All of this has given me an unshakeable faith in the special nature of our Commonwealth and the extraordinary value it holds."

He made a quick joke about his upcoming 76th birthday, saying "This year, as you all know, is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Commonwealth - and, incidentally, shortly to be my seventy-sixth" before turning to discuss global conflict and the importance of staying as one.

"At a time of heightened global tensions, of horrifying conflict and challenges of the greatest magnitude, it seems to me that these connections between us are more precious than ever," he said. "Together we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time."

The King then moved on to discuss "the most painful aspects of our past" and said: "None of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learn its lessons."

He said "we must find the right ways to address it" and "the Commonwealth can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect".

Charles then returned to familiar territory as he impressed upon those gathered "the existential threat of climate change"

He said: "I have spoken with many of you in the recent past, and I now find that climate change is raised as a primary concern, again and again. We are well past believing it is a problem for the future, since it is already, already undermining the development gains we have long fought for.

"This year alone, we have seen terrifying storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa and catastrophic wildfires in Canada. Lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth.

"I can only offer every encouragement for action, with unequivocal determination, to arrest rising temperatures by cutting emissions, building resilience as far as possible to both the current and forecast impacts of climate change, and conserving and restoring Nature both on land and in the sea.

"If we do not, then inequalities across the Commonwealth, and beyond, will only be exacerbated with the potential to fuel division and conflict."

He added: "If, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Commonwealth can succeed with this endeavour, then it will be an indispensable example to the rest of the world."

Concluding his 12-minute long speech, the King said: "For my part, I can assure you today that for however many years God grants me, I will join you and the people of the Commonwealth on every step of this journey.

"Let us learn from the lessons of the past. Let us be proud of who we are today. And together, let us forge a future of harmony with Nature, and between ourselves, that our children and our grandchildren deserve."

In her address, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa hailed the late Queen Elizabeth II's "steady leadership" and her "unifying role".

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland said the late Queen served the Commonwealth with "duty and distinction". And said: "His Majesty has been in our thoughts and prayers and so happy you are with us today."

Ending the ceremony, the Samoan Dance Group performed a traditional dance before the leaders then had the traditional 'family photograph'.On Thursday, the King and Queen kicked off their first full day of engagements, conducting 10 visits between them. Their day began with a royal 'ava ceremony, which saw them presented with ceremonial garlands, a battered pig and sip a symbolic drink.