King Charles III called the transatlantic
slave trade "a monstrous injustice" Tuesday, opening a Commonwealth
summit in which UK leader Andy Burnham is holding talks about apologising for
Britain's role in slavery.
The monarch told the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in
Antigua and Barbuda that slavery "still casts a shadow over these islands
and other members" of the 56-nation group, many of which are former
British colonies.
"As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is
one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal
sorrow," said the king.
"And yet history also teaches us that evil need not have
the last word; that character and courage can combine to overcome the most
monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international
trade in enslaved people, in which the Royal Navy played such a leading
role," Charles added.
The comments come as Burnham uses his appearance at the summit
to hold discussions with Commonwealth leaders about issuing a formal apology
for Britain's role in slavery, which saw about 10-15 million slaves brought
from Africa to the Americas over four centuries.
Reparations
The Labour premier, in office since July, said at the weekend
that he was open to saying sorry but ruled out paying the financial reparations
demanded by some Caribbean countries.
Britain's pivotal part in slavery has long strained relations
between the UK and its former colonies, including an awkward previous meeting
of Commonwealth leaders in 2024.
The UK royal family benefited from the trade but Charles is
politically neutral and is not expected to offer an apology.
A palace spokesperson also said "it would not be
appropriate" for the king to announce a change in government policy.
Burnham discussed slavery with Barbados Prime Minister Mia
Mottley during a meeting on Monday, one of several bilateral chats the prime
minister is expected to have at the summit.
They discussed how Britain "was offering a structured
dialogue for communities impacted by the transatlantic slave trade",
including the "next steps", Downing Street said.
Burnham wrote in the Guardian on Saturday that he would have
"difficult conversations" to safeguard the Commonwealth's future.
"Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the
British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to
them," Burnham wrote.
He insisted, however, that reparations were "not the right
answer", saying British people today should not be "held liable for
historical wrongs, however heinous".
'Great suffering'
Instead, London is pursuing a "debt reset" plan for
the poorest Commonwealth countries, led by former Labour prime minister Gordon
Brown and which could alter interest rates on repayments.
The UK will also allocate £40 million ($54 million) over three
years for infrastructure improvements in the Caribbean, including renewable
energy.
The issue of slavery has loomed large over 77-year-old Charles's
ongoing nine-day visit to three Caribbean countries.
When the king arrived in the Bahamas last week, small groups of
protesters waved placards reading: "Pay what you owe us."
The monarch acknowledged "the great suffering of the
past" during that stop.
Britain has never formally apologised for slavery or agreed to
pay reparations.
The BBC reported Tuesday that Britain was likely to apologise
during its G20 presidency next year.
The country profited for centuries from colonialism and slavery,
but argues it also led the way in the latter's abolition.
In 1833, the UK parliament passed a law to abolish slavery in
most of the British Empire.
Opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said Britain
should not apologise, arguing it would boost countries' claims for financial
compensation.
At the previous Commonwealth meeting in Samoa in 2024, 56
nations signed a communique backing talks over reparatory justice after
then-prime minister Keir Starmer tried to avoid the issue of slavery.
Burnham has said his government is pursuing a "new
approach".
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