By Sohaib Shams
King Charles told Commonwealth leaders gathered in the Caribbean that the transatlantic slave trade “fills my heart with horror” and described it as a “monstrous injustice,” but he did not offer a formal apology for Britain’s historical role.
Calls for apology and reparations
The summit comes amid mounting demands for the UK to pay reparations. Prime Minister Andy Burnham signaled openness to a formal apology and announced £40 million in aid funding over three years for Caribbean infrastructure and green energy projects, though he ruled out direct financial reparations.
Archbishop Welby warns against reparations
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby argued in a newspaper article that forcing ordinary Britons to fund large reparations would be a “moral evil,” noting most Britons have no connection to slavers’ profits and highlighting the Royal Navy’s role in ending the trade.
King emphasizes partnership and climate
Charles spoke of a “growing commitment” to modern partnerships addressing past wrongs through education, job creation, intra-Commonwealth trade, and climate resilience. He also warned that trust between nations is under critical strain, citing brutal conflicts, rapid technological change, and the “catastrophic reality” of climate change.
Protest at summit
Activists outside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held placards demanding an apology and “reparatory justice,” underscoring the pressure on British officials.
Historical context
The British royal family has a long association with the slave trade: Elizabeth I backed early trader John Hawkins, Charles II expanded the enterprise, and the Duke of Clarence, later William IV, opposed abolitionist campaigns.
