King Charles III expressed “horror” and “shame” over the historic slave trade and the British Empire’s colonial past on Tuesday, speaking at the opening of the Commonwealth’s biennial leaders’ summit in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. He did not issue a formal apology to former colonies, instead describing his personal grief and regret.
The King called the transatlantic slave trade, driven by European colonial powers across Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas, “a monstrous injustice.” He said the chapter in history filled him with horror and deep personal sorrow.
Charles, the Commonwealth’s honorary president, addressed leaders from the 56-member organization alongside its new secretary-general, Ghanaian former diplomat Shirley Botchwey. In recent days, Botchwey has backed calls, particularly from Caribbean leaders, for the King and the UK government to pursue a formal apology for slavery.
British Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who arrived in St John’s on Monday, has recently signaled openness to steps including debt relief and increased aid for interested Commonwealth partners, while rejecting direct financial reparations as “the wrong response.” Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, introducing the King, called for concrete UK action toward “reparative justice.”
Sources: ANSA Mondo.