Prince Charles with escorts, PNG Independence celebrations, September 1975

Upon independence in 1975, the PNG Constitution granted Queen Elizabeth II the title of Head of State of Papua New Guinea. Upon her death in 2022 and the accession of her son, the Prince of Wales, he is now King Charles III, King of Papua New Guinea and his other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth—which now consists of 56 member states, 15 of which are known as Commonwealth Realms, including Papua New Guinea.

In September 2022 Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae and Prime Minister James Marape were joined by dignitaries at the ceremony in the capital Port Moresby to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II and proclaim King Charles III as the country’s new head of state.

Prince Charles during a 1984 trip to Papua New Guinea to open the nation’s new Parliament

‘In reflection of the life she lived, the exemplary performance of duties as the head of the state of

Papua New Guinea, it is in this connection that we all gather here this morning to acknowledge her passing and to acknowledge and witness the ascension of the throne of King Charles III,’ PM Marape said.

However, he did not attend the coronation of King Charles III in London on 6 May 2023, as he was preparing for the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in late May, but was represented by Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko at the event, with the Governor-General representing the country and leading a delegation of more than 30 people, including support staff.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla after the Coronation Ceremony, 2023

‘Papua New Guinea remains a strong part of the realm nations. We are very much a part of the Commonwealth, adequately represented by the Governor-General and the Foreign Minister to pay respects on His Majesty, King Charles III, the King of Commonwealth, the Realms, and Papua New Guinea,’ said PM Marape.