King Charles Visits Caribbean as Calls for Slavery Reparations Grow

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit the Caribbean from October 27 to November 4, as calls for Britain to address its role in the transatlantic slave trade continue to grow.

The tour will include the Bahamas, Guyana, and Antigua and Barbuda, where Charles will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Caribbean leaders are pushing for reparations to be discussed at the meeting, calling for justice and accountability for the suffering caused by slavery.

Buckingham Palace has said the King will acknowledge Britain's past but will not formally apologize, in line with British government policy.

• King Charles begins Caribbean tour amid growing calls for slavery reparations
• CARICOM pushes for reparations to be discussed at the Commonwealth meeting
• Buckingham Palace rules out formal apology as debate over Britain's role continues

Caribbean Leaders Push for Slavery Reparations

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which includes 23 member and associate member states, has called for reparations to be placed on the agenda of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett said last month that reparations were fundamentally about justice, recognition and accountability. She also highlighted the need to address inequalities that continue to affect the descendants of people who endured slavery under colonial rule.

At the 2022 Commonwealth leaders' meeting, Charles expressed deep personal sorrow over slavery. The issue is expected to feature prominently again as leaders gather for this year's meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.

Shirley Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, which represents around 2.7 billion people, has also said the time has come for discussions on reparations. She said these could include financial compensation or other measures, such as returning artifacts.

Also Read: UK Liberal Democrats Urge Cancellation of King Charles US Visit

King Charles Will Not Formally Apologize for Slavery

Buckingham Palace has said Charles will not avoid discussing Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade during the tour. However, the King is not expected to issue a formal apology, despite calls for one from some Caribbean leaders and campaigners.

The position follows British government policy, which also rules out financial reparations. A palace spokesperson said the King had worked over many years to acknowledge past wrongs and find ways to address inequalities that remain today.

Botchwey, meanwhile, said an apology from the King would be welcome. Charles remains head of state in several Caribbean nations, including the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda.

The debate comes against the historical backdrop of the transatlantic slave trade. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were abducted and sold into slavery by European merchants. Britain was responsible for transporting an estimated 3.2 million people, making it the second most active European nation in the trade after Portugal.