Britainupdated 51m ago3 min read
Archive photo · 10 July 2023King Charles III Begins Nine-Day Caribbean Tour in Bahamas Without Slavery Apology
4 Other1 African1 Asian2 Other source typesPhoto: White House, Public domain · Cropped for layout
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Nine-day Caribbean tour begins in the Bahamas, then Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda. Caribbean leaders push for slavery apology and reparations discussions during the visit.
Tour, acknowledgement, no reparations
King Charles III began a nine-day Caribbean tour in the Bahamas, with Buckingham Palace saying he would not apologise for Britain's role in the slave trade or offer reparations while he acknowledged the "suffering and injustices of the past". The King told young people it is "only right" to "acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past" as he arrived for a youth rally at Clifford Park, where he attended independence celebrations as Prince of Wales in 1973. Buckingham Palace said opportunities for the King to reflect on the legacy of the slave trade would be built into his schedule in all three countries, with visits planned to memorials and other places of reflection and remembrance.
The BBC reported that the tour would move to Guyana later this week, with engagements focused on the environment and biodiversity, before the King and Queen Camilla joined for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda. The Independent said the tour would include a solo state visit to Guyana and that the King would attend CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4, as calls for a slavery apology continued.
Caribbean demands meet palace line
Carla Barnett, the CARICOM Secretary-General, renewed the push for reparations and said the demand was rooted in the pursuit of justice, recognition and accountability for the suffering endured by Africans who were enslaved during the colonial era. The BBC said Buckingham Palace told the BBC that the King would not apologise for Britain's role in the slave trade or offer reparations, while it said the programme would primarily focus on shining a light on modern partnerships and opportunities for the future. Shirley Botchwey, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, told Sky News that an apology "wouldn't hurt to have that," and she said discussions on reparations were necessary, whether through financial payments or other measures including the return of cultural artefacts.
Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the king's recognition of slavery as the darkest days was just the "first step" and that "Now, moving to the apology is the next step," demanding accountability from the former empire. The Independent reported that a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the visit programme would not shy away from "the darkest days of our past" while being oriented to the vibrant present and promising future of each country.
Commonwealth summit and stakes
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda is set to bring together leaders of 56 Commonwealth countries, and the BBC said the King would deliver a keynote speech as leader of the Commonwealth. The Independent said Shirley Botchwey told the public it "wouldn't hurt" when asked if the King should apologise, and it said Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali urged that moving to the apology was "the next step". Arise News | African said the issue of reparations was expected to feature prominently at the Commonwealth gathering, with Caribbean leaders seeking to have reparations formally placed on the agenda.
The BBC said the King would inspect a guard of honour and then attend a youth rally at Clifford Park, where he highlighted challenges faced by low-lying Caribbean islands and said "our world cries out for healing". The Independent reported that Foreign secretary Ed Miliband reiterated the government's position, saying "I don’t think reparations are the answer, and I’ve had those discussions already with some of our Commonwealth colleagues."
