The Samoan head of state, Va'aletoa Sualauvi II, surprised Campbell with the honour while the Breakfast host was in the country.
Former Samoa cap Motu Matu'u tweeted a picture of Sualauvi with his hands on Campbell's head, captioned: "@JohnJCampbell officially bestowed the title Toleafoa from the Royal Highness Head of state of Samoa."
Toleafoa is a chiefly title and a significant honour. People in Samoa will now address Campbell using the title as part of his formal name.
Campbell retweeted the photo from his own account.