King Charles III will acknowledge Britain’s involvement in slavery and what he has described as the “darkest days” of its colonial past when he visits the Caribbean later this month, including Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Buckingham Palace said the King will not avoid the sensitive history of Britain’s relationship with the region as Caribbean and African countries continue to press for reparations and greater recognition of the lasting effects of slavery and colonialism.
However, Charles is not expected to issue a formal apology or offer reparations, with Buckingham Palace saying those are matters for governments.
“There are important discussions taking place in various fora about colonial legacy and the intergenerational impact of the transatlantic trade in enslaved persons,” a palace spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the royal programme would not “shy away from ‘the darkest days of our past’” but would primarily focus on the present and future of the countries being visited.
The King will begin his Caribbean tour in The Bahamas from Oct. 27-29, before travelling to Guyana for a state visit from Oct. 29-30. He will then join Queen Camilla in Antigua and Barbuda from Nov. 1-4 for CHOGM.
The Antigua and Barbuda visit is expected to place Charles directly into ongoing discussions among Commonwealth leaders over slavery, colonialism and reparatory justice.
Charles has previously spoken publicly about Britain’s role in slavery. During Barbados’ transition to a republic in 2021, he described slavery as an “appalling atrocity” that “forever stains our history.” He later said he was seeking to deepen his understanding of slavery’s continuing impact.
The issue has taken on greater significance ahead of the Antigua and Barbuda summit. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey told Reuters earlier this year that she expected member countries to make progress toward beginning discussions on reparations.
The British government, however, continues to reject financial reparations. Buckingham Palace said Charles acts on the advice of the government and that decisions involving an official apology or reparations are therefore not for the monarch to make.
The Palace said opportunities would nevertheless be included during the tour for Charles to reflect on the past and reaffirm his commitment to addressing inequalities that continue today.
The visit will mark a significant moment for Antigua and Barbuda as the country hosts Commonwealth leaders while one of the region’s most contentious historical issues — Britain’s role in slavery and demands for reparatory justice — remains firmly on the agenda.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: King Charles to Acknowledge ‘Darkest Days’ of Colonial Rule During Caribbean Tour.