His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, and Her Royal Majesty Olori Atuwatse III were received by King Charles III at St James’s Palace on Monday evening.
This was made known in a video shared by the Monarch on his Instagram page.
The widely circulated video, has sparked international conversation regarding the strengthening ties between the British Monarchy and the traditional institutions of the Niger Delta.
The dinner at St James’s Palace brought together leaders from across the 56 member nations of the Commonwealth.
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, ascended the throne as the 21st Olu of Warri in August 2021.
His coronation marked a pivotal moment for the Itsekiri people, representing a transition toward youthful, technocratic leadership.
The King’s background is rooted in an international perspective; he holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, followed by a Juris Doctor from the same institution.
Before accepting the crown, his professional career spanned the legal and energy sectors, providing him with a framework for governance that balances ancient custom with contemporary economic reality.
Central to the King’s public identity is his unwavering commitment to his Christian faith.
Upon his accession, Ogiame Atuwatse III made headlines by publicly dedicating his reign to God, a move that made him depart from some strictly traditionalist expectations.strictly traditionalist expectations.
His leadership has since been characterized by a faith first philosophy.
Supporters of the crown note that his love for Christ has served as a unifying force, aiming to modernize the spiritual image of the monarchy while maintaining the cultural integrity of the Warri Kingdom.
This Christian grounding has become a hallmark of his administration, influencing his approach to community peace building and social welfare within Delta State.
Recall that in an interview with BBC Pidgin, the Monarch addressed the subject of polygamy. When asked about the possibility of taking a second wife a common practice among his predecessors he stated firmly that he would not be doing so.
He said, “God did not give me that grace,” explaining that his focus and energy are fully committed to his wife, his three children, and the heavy responsibilities of the throne.
He emphasized that he values the stability of a single family unit, noting that he does not wish for his personal life to become complicated by multiple households.
Olori Atuwatse III, a daughter of the late billionaire business mogul, Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, married the king in November 2024.
With a strong academic background.The Olori is a trained lawyer, having earned her LLB from the London School of Economics (LSE).
She was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010.
Since the King’s coronation in August 2021, she has remained a key developmental partner within the Warri Kingdom.
Through initiatives such as the Wuwu Ore medical outreach and the Royal Iwere Foundation, she focuses on systemic issues including maternal health, child literacy, and STEM education for the youth of the Niger Delta.
