King Charles admits sorrow over slave trade without formal apology

The 56-nation Commonwealth gathered in Antigua and Barbuda for its heads of government meeting. British King Charles III used the official opening ceremony to address the history of the transatlantic slave trade. He described the era as filling him with horror and profound personal sorrow.

Charles told leaders that slavery still casts a shadow over Caribbean islands and other Commonwealth members. He noted that the Royal Navy played a leading role in ending the trade. The king acknowledged that past actions cannot be changed, but he argued that nations can learn from history.

The monarch proposed specific measures to address historic wrongs. He called for wider access to education and increased investment in employment. He also urged for stronger trade links between member nations and better support for climate resilience.

The speech did not include the formal apology that many Caribbean and African countries had anticipated. Buckingham Palace had previously stated that no formal apology would be delivered during the tour, which also visited the Bahamas and Guyana. Charles offered no new financial measures to redress the economic and social damage caused by slavery.

Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali told reporters that an apology should be the king's next move. The topic of reparations had arisen at the previous summit in Samoa in 2024. Leaders there called for discussions on the issue despite opposition from then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Current British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the United Kingdom is open to a formal apology. He ruled out financial reparations in an article for The Guardian. Burnham expressed regret for the suffering of millions and proposed a debt restructuring program to help the Commonwealth's poorest nations.

Protesters gathered outside the venue before the speech began. They carried signs demanding that leaders acknowledge the wrong and commit to repair. Shana Michelle, a resident of Antigua, said that while the people are technically free, mental freedom has not yet arrived. She stated that an apology is the starting point for repair. Prime Ministers from Australia and Canada also attended the opening session.