By Fatma Younis
King Charles III described the transatlantic slave trade as a "shameful chapter of history" that fills him with "profound sorrow" during his opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda on Friday.
No formal apology offered
The King acknowledged that the trade in enslaved persons "still casts a shadow" over the 56-nation association, but he stopped short of issuing a formal apology that some leaders and campaigners had demanded ahead of the summit.
Personal reflection on legacy
Charles said he had deepened his understanding of the issue through "listening, learning and looking," and expressed commitment to finding ways to "work in modern partnership to address the wrongs of the past with action for the future." He added that history "is not ours to choose or to change" and that the inheritance includes both achievements and failures.
Broader summit themes
The address also referenced "brutal conflicts" worldwide, the "catastrophic reality" of climate change, and rapid technological development. The biennial meeting's official theme is "Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth."
UK government position
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who is attending the summit, has previously said he is open to a formal British apology but that financial reparations are "not the right answer."
Caribbean tour context
The King and Queen are on a Caribbean tour that has reignited debates over the UK's colonial legacy. Earlier stops included the Bahamas, where Charles spoke of the "suffering of the past," and Guyana, where he visited the site of a slave rebellion.
