King Charles condemns slave trade but gives no formal apology at Commonwealth meeting

King Charles III condemned Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and expressed sorrow over its effects during the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday 3 November. According to the Commonwealth, Charles said the trade in enslaved people “still casts a shadow over these islands and other members of our Commonwealth,” but he did not offer a formal apology.

The King told leaders of the 56-member Commonwealth that past actions could not be reversed and called for cooperation on education, employment, economic development and climate resilience. CARICOM has said a formal apology should form part of a wider process of reparatory justice.

CARICOM Chairman and Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said in a 31 October statement that an apology without measures to repair historical harm would be incomplete. The regional body’s Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice includes education, healthcare, cultural restoration, debt cancellation, development initiatives and financial compensation.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was willing to discuss a possible formal apology on behalf of the British government, according to the report. He rejected financial reparations and proposed measures including debt restructuring for vulnerable Commonwealth countries.