UK’s King Charles expresses ‘sorrow’ in Antigua over slave trade

What the report says

King Charles III used the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda to speak publicly about the transatlantic slave trade, saying it filled him with horror and deep personal sorrow. In remarks reported by Al Jazeera, he said the legacy of slavery still affects Caribbean islands and other Commonwealth members, and he pointed to the Royal Navy’s role in ending the trade.

The speech, delivered in St John’s on Tuesday, came amid renewed pressure from Caribbean and African leaders and activists for reparations and a formal apology for colonial-era slavery. Charles did not apologize, and Buckingham Palace had already indicated that no formal apology would be issued during his Caribbean tour, which also included stops in the Bahamas and Guyana.

According to Al Jazeera, the king said efforts to address past wrongs could include better access to education, investment in jobs, stronger trade ties within the Commonwealth and climate resilience support. He offered no specific plan for compensation or other measures to repair the damage caused by slavery.

The issue has been a recurring point of tension in Commonwealth discussions, including at the 2024 summit in Samoa. Al Jazeera also reported that protesters outside the venue urged acknowledgment and repair, while leaders at the meeting, including Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, highlighted the economic strain facing smaller states.