King Charles to address slavery in Antigua as PM says he is open to possible UK apology
King Charles III is to speak with “unflinching honesty” and “sincere sorrow” on the lasting pain of the transatlantic slave trade, during the final leg of his Caribbean tour in Antigua, Buckingham Palace has said. The King will address Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday in a speech which will touch on the issue. Prime Minister Andy […]
King Charles III is set to discuss the impact of the transatlantic slave trade and consider a possible UK apology during his final leg of the Caribbean tour in Antigua, according to Buckingham Palace. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be the venue for the King's speech, where he aims to confront the "most shameful aspects of the past" with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow".
Prime Minister Andrew Burnham has expressed openness to the idea of the UK formally apologizing for its role in slavery, marking a shift in the government's stance. However, the British government has never formally apologized for slavery or offered reparations, and Burnham has not advocated for reparation payments. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed talk of apologies as a "distraction" from addressing current issues.
The Commonwealth tour has put King Charles at the center of debates over the UK's colonial legacy, as he has previously spoken about the suffering caused by slavery in the Bahamas and visited the site of a slave rebellion in Guyana. Royal sources emphasize that decisions about an apology are a matter for the government, not the Palace.
The King's approach to family matters and his health remain a focus of attention, with cancer treatment noted as a matter of concern.
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