UK king calls slave trade 'monstrous injustice' at Commonwealth summit

King Charles III called the transatlantic slave trade "a monstrous injustice", opening a Commonwealth summit in which UK leader Andy Burnham is holding talks about apologising for Britain's role in slavery.

The monarch told the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday that slavery "still casts a shadow over these islands and other members" of the 56-nation group, many of which are former British colonies.

"As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow," said the king.

"And yet history also teaches us that evil need not have the last word; that character and courage can combine to overcome the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people, in which the Royal Navy played such a leading role," Charles added.

The comments come as Burnham uses his appearance at the summit to hold discussions with Commonwealth leaders about issuing a formal apology for Britain's role in slavery, which saw about 10-15 million slaves brought from Africa to the Americas over four centuries.

Reparations

The Labour premier, in office since July, said at the weekend that he was open to saying sorry but ruled out paying the financial reparations demanded by some Caribbean countries.

Britain's pivotal part in slavery has long strained relations between the UK and its former colonies, including an awkward previous meeting of Commonwealth leaders in 2024.

The UK royal family benefited from the trade but Charles is politically neutral and is not expected to offer an apology.

A palace spokesperson also said "it would not be appropriate" for the king to announce a change in government policy.

RelatedTRT World - UK PM 'open' to slavery apology but rules out reparations

Burnham discussed slavery with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley during a meeting on Monday, one of several bilateral chats the prime minister is expected to have at the summit.

They discussed how Britain "was offering a structured dialogue for communities impacted by the transatlantic slave trade", including the "next steps", Downing Street said.

Burnham wrote in the Guardian on Saturday that he would have "difficult conversations" to safeguard the Commonwealth's future.

"Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to them," Burnham wrote.

He insisted, however, that reparations were "not the right answer", saying British people today should not be "held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous".

'Great suffering'

Britain is pursuing a debt relief plan for the poorest Commonwealth countries and will allocate £40 million for Caribbean infrastructure.

Slavery has featured prominently during King Charles III's Caribbean tour. In the Bahamas, he acknowledged "the great suffering of the past" as protesters called for reparations.

Britain has never formally apologised for slavery or agreed to pay reparations. At the 2024 Commonwealth summit, 56 nations backed talks on reparatory justice.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has opposed an apology, arguing it could strengthen countries' claims for financial compensation.

TRT Afrika / AFP — TRT Afrika / AFP