Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London.

The historic meeting reaffirmed the strong and enduring relationship between Fiji and the United Kingdom.

In his royal audience with King Charles, Rabuka conveyed the People’s Coalition Government and the people of Fiji’s gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the King, acknowledging the historical links between Fiji and the UK.

Rabuka also took the opportunity to formally apologize to King Charles for his actions and the events of 1987, reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to strengthening our bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister also reflected on his visit to Buckingham Palace in 1998 when he presented his traditional apology or Matanigasau to her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second for the events of 1987 and in declaring Fiji a Republic.

Rabuka also expressed deep regard and fondness of the people of Fiji for the Crown and the Royal Family, adding that more than 20,000 of our people call Britain home since the recruitment of Commonwealth citizens to the British Army.

Rabuka said that he looks forward to welcoming Commonwealth leaders to the region for the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Samoa.