King Charles to Avoid Apology for Slavery on Caribbean Tour

King Charles III will not offer an apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade or discuss reparations during his upcoming tour of the Caribbean, Buckingham Palace has announced. The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is scheduled to visit The Bahamas, Guyana, and Antigua.

While the monarch acts on the advice of the British government, officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have confirmed that they have not advised the King to apologize or pay reparations. The government's established position is that while acknowledging the abhorrent nature and enduring impacts of the slave trade, financial reparations will not be paid.

However, the British government remains committed to dialogue with Commonwealth partners to understand historical legacies and foster modern, forward-looking partnerships. This stance is in line with previous commitments made at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Campaigners and some Caribbean nations are expected to raise the issue of reparatory justice during the King's visit, particularly at the CHOGM gathering in Antigua. The Bahamas National Reparations Committee has urged the King to issue a formal apology for the Crown's historical links to slavery. Last month, Jamaica also submitted a petition in the UK seeking legal guidance on reparations.

The King's visit to The Bahamas is from October 27 to 29. He will then travel to Guyana for a two-day state visit before being joined by Queen Camilla in Antigua for CHOGM from November 1 to 4. The King is expected to acknowledge the historical context of the slave trade in speeches and during visits to relevant landmarks, similar to his previous remarks in Barbados in 2021, where he described the slave trade as an "appalling atrocity" that "forever stains our history."

Buckingham Palace stated that the visit program will acknowledge past historical injustices but will primarily focus on the present and future, developed in consultation with host nations. The King's past actions, including support for Commonwealth education programs and The King's Trust, aim to address enduring inequalities.