King Charles calls slave trade 'horror' but skips formal apology at Antigua summit

King Charles III opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda by describing the transatlantic slave trade as a source of deep personal pain.

The British monarch told delegates on Tuesday that the history of the slave trade fills him with horror and the most profound personal sorrow. He noted that the practice still casts a shadow over Caribbean islands and other members of the Commonwealth. Charles stated that the Royal Navy played a leading role in ending the trade. He said the group cannot change the actions of those who came before them. However, he added, the world can learn from the past.

The king outlined specific steps to address historical wrongs. These include improving access to education, investing in jobs, encouraging trade among Commonwealth countries, and pushing for climate resilience. He did not offer a formal apology for slavery. He also provided no specific measures to address the economic and social damage caused by the era of slavery. Buckingham Palace had previously stated that the king would not issue a formal apology during his Caribbean tour, which included visits to the Bahamas and Guyana.

Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali told reporters that an apology should be the king’s next step. The issue of reparations has been a point of contention at recent summits. At the last Commonwealth summit in Samoa in 2024, leaders called for discussions on reparations. Then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer opposed the move. Last week, current British Prime Minister Andy Burnham wrote in The Guardian that the UK is open to a formal apology. Burnham ruled out financial reparations. He proposed leading a programme of debt restructuring to help the Commonwealth’s poorest countries. Burnham wrote that he wanted to express sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of millions of people.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the venue before the speech. They held signs with the message: Acknowledge the wrong. Commit to repair. Shana Michelle, a protester from Antigua, said the group is technically free but many are not mentally. She stated that an apology is where the repair begins.

Leaders attending the meeting include Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Commonwealth consists of 56 member nations. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne spoke to the gathering. He said no nation should be forced to mortgage its future simply to survive its present.