Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attended the commemorative service of King Charles III at the St. Barnabas Provincial Cathedral in Honiara this Saturday 6 May 2023. The Church service was organized to honor the King’s Coronation, taking place later this evening, local time. King Charles III is Solomon Islands Head of State since the passing on of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.
Also attending the Church Service was Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga and other Ministers of the crown.
The King’s Coronation is expected to take place starting at 11am London time at Westminister Abbey. Governor General, Sir David Vunagi and Foreign Affairs Miniser, Jeremiah Manele are in London for the King’s Coronation.
In Honiara, celebrations to mark the King’s Coronation commenced 6.30am with a convoy of drum beaters along the streets followed by the Church Service. The Acting Governor General, Mr. Patterson Oti, Chief Justice, Sir Albert Palmer, British High Commissioner, H.E Thomas Coward, Honiara City Mayor, Mr. Eddie Siapu were all part of the Church Service in the morning. The Commemorative Service includes the cutting of a cake.
King Charles III visited the country in 2019 where he made a speech at Lawson Tama in pidgin much to the surprise and delight of the crowd then.
The coronation of King Charles III is the first in 70 years, and the occasion will be viewed by millions around the world.
With OPMC Press Secretariat
