Samoan couple sing for the Queen at Commonwealth service

Samoan opera singers serenaded Queen Camilla and members of the royal family at this year's Commonwealth Day service.

The annual celebration in the United Kingdom marks 75 years of the Commonwealth, which includes six Pacific nations.

Towards the end of the service, husband and wife duo Benson Wilson and Isabella Moore performed ‘Tōfā mai feleni’ at Westminster Abbey, in front of Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Head of the Commonwealth King Charles did not attend in person, but in a video message, said diversity is our greatest strength.

“Wherever we live, we are united by the many challenges we face – whether it be climate change, the loss of nature, or the social and economic changes that new technologies are bringing.

“Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways. Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us.

“All of this means that we must work together to understand each other’s perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day. We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions.”

Samoan opera couple Benson Wilson and Isabella Moore perform at Westminster Abbey. Photo/Livestream

His Majesty highlighted two Pacific nations, including how Papua New Guinea will be marking fifty years of independence next year.

“Each of these milestones – and many others like them – represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.”

King Charles went on to say how impressed he was by youth, who make up two thirds of the Commonwealth’s population.

“Whether in Kenya or Malaysia, Vanuatu or Dominica, Malta, or Canada, I never cease to be impressed by their creativity, innovative skills, and hard work, often in the most challenging circumstances.

“Their energy is transforming approaches to development, technology and preserving and restoring nature and will, I hope, help to shape and safeguard our common future.”

These words are of particular importance as Samoa will be the first Pacific nation host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting later this year.

The theme of this year’s events is “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth”. This was foreshadowed last year by Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.

"In the spirit of our Commonwealth 'aiga' and guided by the fa'asamoa the Government and people of Samoa eagerly anticipate welcoming the Commonwealth family to our island home, the Blue Pacific in October 2024.

“We look forward to sharing our unique Samoan communal culture and traditions as we come together to transform our one resilient family into a Common Wealth."

Closer to home, Samoa's Taumeasina Island is hosting the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson and demonstrating initiatives to preserve coral reefs.