Commonwealth Chief Urges King Charles to Apologize for Slavery, Discuss Reparations

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has stated that King Charles III should apologize for the transatlantic slave trade and that "the time has come" for a discussion on reparations.

"Commonwealth countries want the monarch to issue an apology for the transatlantic slave trade and him doing so 'wouldn't hurt,'" Botchwey told Sky News. She expressed her personal view that the conversation about reparations is overdue and that its form, whether financial or in kind, should be decided by the countries involved.

Botchwey, Ghana's former foreign minister, suggested that reparations could include "concessional financing," debt treatment, climate initiatives, or the return of artifacts.

However, the call has been met with opposition. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the Daily Mail, "This is nonsense. People today aren't responsible for what happened hundreds of years ago." He added that "calls for reparations are absurd and shouldn't even be entertained."

King Charles III is scheduled to attend a Commonwealth leaders' gathering in Antigua and Barbuda next month with Queen Camilla. He is also set to make solo visits to The Bahamas and Guyana. Buckingham Palace has indicated that the King's Caribbean tour will acknowledge "the darkest days of our past."

The monarch, who follows the guidance of his ministers, has not been advised by the UK government to offer an apology or reparations, aligning with established government policy. A government spokesperson reiterated this stance, stating, "The transatlantic slave trade was abhorrent. We fully recognise its horrific impacts and the ongoing strength of feeling it arouses. The UK's position is clear: we do not and will not pay reparations."

Earlier this month, a delegation from Jamaica presented a petition at Buckingham Palace requesting the King to refer three questions about transatlantic chattel slavery to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, questioned why her country should not seek reparations when Britain was still repaying debt linked to slave-owner compensation as recently as 11 years ago.

King Charles has previously acknowledged the legacy of slavery. In 2021, during Barbados's transition to a republic, he described it as an "appalling atrocity" that "forever stains our history." He also noted in 2022 that he was on a personal journey to "deepen my own understanding of slavery's enduring impact."

The UK government acknowledges the abhorrent nature of the slave trade and its lasting effects but maintains its position against financial reparations for historical acts that did not violate international laws at the time. They remain committed to dialogue with Commonwealth nations.

Despite the UK government's official position, the issue of reparations and historical apologies is expected to be a recurring theme during the King's upcoming tour and the Commonwealth summit.