Samoa’s Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and his Good Lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano joined world leaders at a reception on Monday after the funeral service of the late Queen.

Prior to the reception, they joined Heads of State and Government of Commonwealth Pacific countries and more than five hundred other world leaders at Her Late Majesty’s Funeral Service and later attended a reception hosted by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs at The Church House, the headquarters of the Church of England.

The Head of State and his Masiofo initially paid their respects to the Queen on Sunday as they witnessed Her Late Majesty’s coffin lying in state in Westminster Hall for the last night before her State Funeral, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Government Press Secretariat.

They were joined by Samoa’s Ambassador to Belgium and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Francella Strickland and the CEO of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo.

They also paid tribute to the late Queen on behalf of the people and Government of Samoa through a written message in the condolence book, and a recorded tribute at Lancaster House, before attending The King’s Reception held at Buckingham Palace.

“A symbol of strength and stability, whose legacy will be warmly remembered by all whose lives she touched,” Tuimaleali’ifano wrote as his tribute.

“She was unparalleled in her commitment to service, as well as her devotion to her people, country, her family and faith during her lifelong reign.

“O alofaaga ma faamaisega mai tagataanuu uma ma le Malo o Samoa. Tatou feiloai i se taeao o muamua i le ola e faavavau. Ia manuia lau malaga.”

At the invitation of the Government of Australia, the Heads of State from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu travelled with Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy on a Royal Australian Air Force flight from Australia to attend the official events of the late Queen’s State Funeral. 

Samoa’s delegation included Desna Solofa, Assistant CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Superintendent Norman Tuafale Meni, Aide-de-Camp, Ministry of Police, and Rae Manuleleua, First Secretary, Samoa Embassy to Belgium. 

The Head of State and his Masiofo and Samoa’s delegation will depart the United Kingdom for Australia en route to Samoa on Monday night (Tuesday night Samoa Time) following the conclusion of the official events of the late Queen’s State Funeral.

The Head of State’s full tribute to the late Queen at Lancaster House, St James is as follows:

Ua tagi le fatu ma le eleele, ina ua to faasulu le matagi, aua ua tuumalo lē sa faamatua i tumu i Peretania Tele.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was an inspiration to the people of Samoa. She was a symbol of strength and stability, whose legacy will be warmly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

Her Late Majesty visited Samoa in 1977 as part of the Silver Jubilee Pacific tour. Her visit renewed links between Samoa and Britain, which we continue to enjoy today as a member of the Commonwealth family, and as equal partners in our development aspirations.

Her Late Majesty was unparalleled in her commitment to service, as well as her devotion to her people, country, her family and faith during her lifelong reign.

And in all of humanity, she continued to inspire hope and confidence in the future when worldwide change and progress, unrest and uncertainty clouded the pathway forward.

James 1 Verse 12 reads: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”.

Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II was a faithful servant of God, who has now been called home to her Maker.

O alofaaga ma faamaisega mai tagataanuu uma ma le Malo o Samoa. Tatou feiloai i se taeao o muamua I le ola e faavavau. Ia manuia lau malaga.