King urged to ditch summer suit for ‘island vibe’ dress for Samoa Commonwealth meeting

While the traditional male skirt known as a ‘lavalava’ is likely off the cards, the King may opt for a more subtle nod to local custom

The King has been urged to ditch his suit in favour of a more laid-back “island vibe” when he attends a major Commonwealth meeting in Samoa next month.
He may also leave the country as an island chief, after a local mayor revealed plans to bestow an honorary title on the monarch.
Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has urged all delegates heading to the island nation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which kicks off on Oct 21, to dress down.
She said she had been “frank” in her discussions with London in particular, as she sought to prepare her VIP royal visitors for what to expect.
“I had an audience with the King,” she said of their meeting at Buckingham Palace earlier this year.
“October’s very hot in Samoa. We’re not really keen for people to wear suits and be hot and uncomfortable.
“You know, we want to encourage more of an island vibe (but) just because it’s an island doesn’t mean we’re on holiday. It just means that people have to be comfortable so we can have a good meeting.”
The King, whose sartorial choices are often hailed by fashion industry experts, tends to opt for cream or beige tones in the summer months.
However, he is rarely seen in anything but a suit and tie, a uniform he is expected to stick to throughout his forthcoming visit to Australia and Samoa.
He once said that it was his duty on royal tours abroad to showcase what he could of British tailoring.
However, he is not averse to giving a sartorial nod to his host country. While the traditional male attire – a wraparound skirt known as a “lavalava” – is likely off the cards, the King may opt for a more subtle acknowledgement of local custom.
The King has, on occasion, proved willing to ditch his tie.
In his younger years, he was photographed in an array of colourful outfits during foreign tours, donning safari suits, turbans, feathered headdresses, tropical shirts and kaftans.
Ms Mata’afa, who boasts Samoan royal lineage herself and is the island’s first female prime minister, has insisted it will be a CHOGM like no other.
“This is going to be an island CHOGM,” she said in a separate video message released earlier this year.
“Can I tell you it’s warm in October, so please don’t wear your suits… in your packing please do consider that you are coming to an island, and we want you to be comfortable.
“We look forward to welcoming you in true island style and we will show you a part of the world that possibly many of you have never travelled to before.”
Meanwhile, local mayor, Tofaeono Atuaia Kitiona, revealed that the monarch could be heading home with a new title to add to his collection.
“Given the King’s imminent arrival, it is only fitting that we confer upon him a chiefly title that befits his stature,” he told the Samoan Observer.
He said the area where the King and Queen will stay has its own traditional kings, with “matai” family chieftain titles handed down through generations.
A meeting has been held to discuss which matai title would be most fitting for the monarch, with two options under consideration, Le Toaiga-o-Tumua, which translates as The Near East, and Asomua-o-le-malama, meaning Dawn of the Light.
Mr Kitiona said his village was “deeply honoured” to be hosting the King.
“We are meticulously preparing for this visit, understanding that our performance as the host will reflect on the entire nation,” he said. “We have been entrusted with the important task of ensuring the King’s stay is seamless and exemplary.
“Our efforts are focused on making sure that everything is perfect because failing in this duty would mean failing Samoa as a whole.”
Anyone responsible for anything untoward faces potential banishment from the village.