King Charles singled out the members of the Royal Family who "shaped his life" in an emotional speech.
The King gave his first speech at CHOGM since becoming Head of the Commonwealth where he spoke about world peace, Britain's past and climate change.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Samoa for their first royal tour since the King's cancer diagnosis in February earlier this year.
He acknowledged his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022, and his grandfather, King George VI, for their dedication to the Commonwealth and its prosperity.
The King acknowledged his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022, and his grandfather, King George VI, for their dedication to the Commonwealth and its prosperity.
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The King said: "The Commonwealth mattered a great deal to my dear mother, The late Queen.
"Her commitment to you all, as that of my grandfather, King George VI, before her, is one which has helped to shape my own life for as long as I can remember."
"I have travelled to almost every corner of the Commonwealth, I have met remarkable people in every conceivable walk of life, and learned a great deal from so many proud cultures and traditions.
"All of this has given me an unshakeable faith in the special nature of our Commonwealth and the extraordinary value it holds."
King Charles spoke with Commonwealth leaders from around the world in Apia, including the UK's Prime Minister
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He addressed Commonwealth leaders from around the world in Apia at the first meeting held on the Pacific Island of Samoa.
King Charles turned to discussed the importance of striving for peace and ending conflicts in war zones worldwide.
Many have seen this as a reference to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and between Ukraine and Russia, but King Charles did not directly address the specific areas.
He said: "At a time of heightened global tensions, of horrifying conflict and challenges of the greatest magnitude, it seems to me that these connections between us are more precious than ever.
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King Charles spoke about climate change, a subject which he and the Royal Family are extremely vocal.
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The head of state added: "Together, we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time."
Although the King did not apologise for Britain's past, or give his view on developed countries giving reparations to countries affected by slavery, He did acknowledge the subject when he said, "Let us learn from the lessons of the past" and "We must find the right ways to address it."
This comes after developing nations have called for Britain to pay billions in reparations for their role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out.
He told the Commonwealth leaders: "None of us can change the past, but we can commit with all our hearts to learn its lessons."
The King told his audience that the Commonwealth should be an "example to the rest of the world".
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He added: "The Commonwealth can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect".
King Charles then turned to "the existential threat of climate change," a subject about which he and the Royal Family are extremely vocal.
"I have spoken with many of you in the recent past, and I now find that climate change is raised as a primary concern, again and again. We are well past believing it is a problem for the future, since it is already, already undermining the development gains we have long fought for.
"This year alone, we have seen terrifying storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa and catastrophic wildfires in Canada. Lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth.
The King's speech lasted 12 minutes and ended with the King acknowledging his old age
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He continued: "I can only offer every encouragement for action, with unequivocal determination, to arrest rising temperatures by cutting emissions, building resilience as far as possible to both the current and forecast impacts of climate change, and conserving and restoring Nature both on land and in the sea."
The King told his audience of world leaders that the Commonwealth should be an "example to the rest of the world," in ending "inequalities across the Commonwealth."
"If we do not, then inequalities across the Commonwealth, and beyond, will only be exacerbated with the potential to fuel division and conflict."
"If... the Commonwealth can succeed with this endeavour, then it will be an indispensable example to the rest of the world."
King Charles didn't miss an opportunity to add humour to his speech by joking about his upcoming 75th birthday.
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King Charles didn't miss an opportunity to add humour to his speech by joking about his upcoming 75th birthday.
He said: "This year, as you all know, is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Commonwealth and, incidentally, shortly to be my seventy-sixth."
His speech lasted 12 minutes and ended with the King acknowledging his old age: "For my part, I can assure you today that for however many years God grants me, I will join you and the people of the Commonwealth on every step of this journey.
"Let us be proud of who we are today, and together, let us forge a future of harmony with nature, and between ourselves, that our children and our grandchildren deserve."
