King Charles faces slavery apology demands on Caribbean Commonwealth tour
Campaigners say the king's nine-day visit to the Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda is a pivotal moment for the Commonwealth's future.
At a glance
- King Charles starts a nine-day Caribbean tour on Tuesday, visiting the Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda.
- The UK government has advised against a formal slavery apology and ruled out reparations payments.
- Campaigners and Caribbean leaders are demanding an apology and reparations ahead of the Commonwealth summit.
King Charles is set to begin a nine-day Caribbean tour on Tuesday, visiting the Bahamas and Guyana before travelling to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting. Campaigners warn the trip is a critical moment for the monarchy's standing in the region, with calls for a formal apology for slavery and reparations expected to dominate the visit.
The British government has advised the king not to issue a formal apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade and has ruled out paying reparations. Charles is expected to deliver three significant speeches during the trip.
Protests and demands
Protests are planned over the monarchy's colonial legacy. High Priest Richmond McKinney, a Rastafarian leader organising demonstrations in the Bahamas, said a full apology is required, not merely expressions of regret. Guyana's president, Irfaan Ali, has said he wants progress on reparations starting with an apology.
Jamaica has submitted an unprecedented slavery reparations petition to the king, which is due to be heard by the UK-based privy council next March. A UN resolution tabled by Ghana has declared the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity and called for reparatory justice.
Commonwealth summit
There are no formal agenda items on reparations at this year's Commonwealth leaders' summit in Antigua. However, Prof Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caribbean community reparations commission, said the issue will be the top priority for Caribbean representatives at the meeting.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP and chair of the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations, said platitudes are no longer enough. She noted that the king of the Netherlands has apologised without negative consequences.
The visit comes four years after the Prince and Princess of Wales's 2022 Caribbean tour, which drew criticism after images showed them greeting Jamaican children through a wire fence.
Source: The Guardian World.
Questions and answers
- Where is King Charles travelling on his Caribbean tour?
- He will visit the Bahamas and Guyana before travelling to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.
- Will the king apologise for slavery during the visit?
- No. He is following government advice not to issue a formal apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade.
- What is on the agenda at the Commonwealth summit?
- There are no formal agenda items on reparations, but Caribbean representatives say the issue will be their top priority at the meeting.
