ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – King Charles III has expressed what he described as profound personal sorrow over the transatlantic slave trade, acknowledging that its consequences continue to affect Caribbean nations and other Commonwealth countries.
The remarks were delivered during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday, November 3.
The King described the slave trade as a shameful chapter in history, stating that its legacy continues to cast a shadow over communities throughout the Commonwealth.
However, his comments stopped short of a formal apology or a commitment to financial reparations.
The issue of reparatory justice has remained a major subject of discussion during the royal visit, with Caribbean leaders and campaigners continuing to call for meaningful acknowledgment of Britain’s historical involvement in slavery.
King Charles also highlighted the importance of education, employment opportunities, international trade and climate resilience as ways Commonwealth nations could work together to address inequalities.
His remarks come amid renewed calls for Britain to confront the lasting consequences of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.
The discussion is particularly significant for Caribbean nations, whose economies, communities and institutions continue to experience the historical effects of slavery and colonial exploitation.
