King Charles III has described the transatlantic slave trade as a “shameful chapter” of history, saying its consequences continue to cast a shadow over Caribbean countries and other parts of the Commonwealth.
Addressing the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, the King expressed what he called “the most profound personal sorrow” over the suffering caused by the trade.
“We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past,” he told Commonwealth leaders.
His remarks stopped short of the formal apology sought by Caribbean governments and reparations campaigners.
King urges Commonwealth to confront the past
Charles said acknowledging history should be accompanied by practical efforts to improve lives across the Commonwealth.
He pointed to education, job creation, stronger trade between member states and climate resilience as areas where deeper cooperation could help address inequalities rooted in the past.
The King said the transatlantic trade in enslaved people “still casts a shadow over these islands and other members of our Commonwealth.”
Reparatory justice has become one of the major issues surrounding this year’s summit, although it is not formally listed on the CHOGM agenda.
UK signals movement on apology
The King’s intervention comes after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK was prepared to engage countries affected by Britain’s role in slavery on the possibility of a formal state apology.
Burnham has ruled out direct financial reparations but has raised alternatives, including debt restructuring and more favourable financing for poorer Commonwealth countries.
Caribbean leaders and campaigners continue to argue that acknowledgement must eventually be matched by concrete action.
For Charles, the task before the Commonwealth is to confront that history without pretending it can be rewritten. “History is not ours to choose or change,” he said.
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