King Charles will pay tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth and the role the Commonwealth played in her life during his opening speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Friday.

Addressing Commonwealth leaders, foreign ministers and dignitaries at his first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth, Charles will speak of the ‘existential threat’ of climate change and its impact on many Commonwealth nations.

He will say that thanks to its scale and diversity, representing a third of humanity, 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 and Queen arrived in Samoa on Wednesday evening for a four-day state visit where he will officially open CHOGM 2024.

Charles’s engagements reflect the theme of sustainability and biodiversity, in support of one of the key themes of CHOGM – ‘A Resilient Environment’, and the meeting’s focus on oceans.

Speaking at the opening ceremony today (FRI) the King will say: “Together we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time.”

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

On Sunday, it was announced that the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has announced the launch of a King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme inspired by Charles and his life’s work to create opportunity and to tackle contemporary challenges including climate change and inequality.

It will offer fellowships to mid-career professionals, undergraduate scholarships, and PhDs, to candidates based in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The King officially launched the programme in Samoa yesterday (THURS) and will briefly mention it in his speech tomorrow as he speaks of his hope that the fellowship will play a role in helping the Commonwealth family find ways to work together to improve equal opportunity for all, particularly for young people.

Concluding his speech, Charles will say: “Let us forge a future of harmony with Nature and between ourselves.”

The King has dedicated much of his life’s work to champion the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss and has earned respect around the world for his commitment to the issue.