H.E. Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea traveled to London, United Kingdom to attend the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort.
The Coronation took place Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6th May, 2023.
On Friday 5th May, 2023, the Governor General met with King Charles at a luncheon hosted by the King for Governors-General and Realm Prime Ministers. The Governor General and Lady Emeline Dadae also attended a Reception in the evening given in advance of the Coronation of Their Majesties the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Grand Chief Sir Bob and Lady Dadae attended the Coronation of the King and Queen at Westminster Abbey on Saturday. They were joined by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Justin Tkatchenko representing the Prime Minister on this occasion.
The Governor General is accompanied on this occasion by ten special guests from PNG as requested by Buckingham Palace.
They include, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Koni Iguan, Deputy Clerk of Parliament and Secretary of Personnel Management Taies Sansan.
Acting Chief of State Protocol Noel Leana was flag bearer at the Coronation event. A contingent of the PNG Defence Force participated in the Coronation procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the Coronation of the King and Queen Consort.
The Coronation will conclude with a royal concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday. Invitation was extended to the Governor General and delegation to attend this event also.
Acting Official Secretary Mr. Bill Toraso has refuted media reports (Post Courier – Friday 5th May 2023), that the Governor General traveled with a 31-member delegation to attend the Coronation that cost K3 million.
“I call on journalists and reporters to verify information first before going to print or air. That is responsible journalism. The information that was published in the Post Courier of Friday is totally misleading and unfounded. The Governor General did not travel with a 31-member delegation to the Coronation in London and it certainly was not at a cost of K3 million. The Governor General in his role representing the Monarch as Head of State of Papua New Guinea, was invited to attend the Coronation of the new King following the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September last year. The Prime Minister was invited to attend this event and was represented by Minster of Foreign Affairs Hon. Justin Tkatchenko. Invitation from Buckingham Palace to attend the Coronation was also extended to 10 additional guests from PNG. This invitation was only extended to realm countries such as Papua New Guinea.
The Governor General is accompanied by his official entourage on all trips official or otherwise. In London, the Governor General was allocated security detail for the Coronation event. The 10 invited guests also participated in various activities of the Coronation. This is an historical event not only for the Monarchy but also for our country. We join other realm and Commonwealth nations celebrate this historical event, and as our Governor General stated in his message, Papua New Guinea values its place in this arrangement as well as the close and historical ties we as a nation share with the monarch as our Head of State so it was only fitting and appropriate that our Governor General and Papua New Guinea participated in this historical occasion,” Mr. Toraso said.
