King Charles III is due to address slavery at the opening of the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday, November 3, with Buckingham Palace saying he will speak with “unflinching honesty” and “sincere sorrow.” The speech has not yet been delivered.
The meeting is taking place in St John’s from November 1 to 4 and brings together leaders from the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries, according to the Commonwealth.
The Palace said the King would address the “most shameful aspects” of the past while respecting discussions between governments. He is speaking as head of the Commonwealth, rather than announcing UK government policy. No apology from the King is expected, and no formal British apology has been announced.
Reparations remain a point of dispute
Caribbean leaders have urged Britain to confront its role in the transatlantic slave trade and discuss reparations. CARICOM chair Philip J. Pierre said the regional bloc had accepted an offer from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to hold structured dialogue, while insisting that talks should not rule out any part of its reparations plan.
CARICOM’s proposals include a formal apology and measures covering areas such as health, education, debt and financial compensation. They remain proposals, not commitments agreed by the UK. Pierre has also said debt relief should not be treated as a substitute for reparations, according to CARICOM.
The King’s remarks are expected against that backdrop, but the announcement of a speech does not settle the wider dispute. The UK has previously challenged the legal basis for reparations for historical acts, while agreeing to continue structured discussions with Caribbean governments.
Nicole French