King Charles Faces Calls for Slavery Apology on Caribbean Tour
Britain's King Charles III began a nine-day, three-country Caribbean visit in the Bahamas on Tuesday, acknowledging past suffering without formally apologising for the slave trade. The question of reparations is due to be discussed at a Commonwealth leaders' summit in Antigua and Barbuda.
Britain's King Charles III began a nine-day tour of the Caribbean on Tuesday, taking in the Bahamas, Guyana, and Antigua and Barbuda. He arrives as several former colonies press him to take a new step toward making amends for the transatlantic slave trade, from which his ancestors profited for centuries. The 77-year-old monarch is currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Charles will travel alone to the first two countries, and Queen Camilla will join him for the final leg in Antigua and Barbuda. There he will address the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Commonwealth is a group of 56 countries with the king at its head.
Acknowledging past suffering
Speaking at a youth rally in the Bahamas, Charles said some of the best of present-day Bahamian culture was born out of darkness. He said it was right to acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past while celebrating present successes. The rally took place at the site where the Bahamas gained independence in 1973, and protesters there held placards reading "pay what you owe us."
Guyana's President Irfaan Ali, who will meet the king, said recognising the "darkest days" was only a first step and that an apology should come next. Last month Jamaica, where Charles remains head of state, filed a petition at an appeals court in London to advance its push for reparations. Modern monarchs have expressed remorse to varying degrees, but none has formally apologised. The UK government, which is heavily indebted, has been reluctant to consider financial compensation.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said ahead of the meeting, which runs from November 1 to 4, that an apology "wouldn't hurt" and that the "time has come" to discuss reparations.
Climate focus
Buckingham Palace has said the tour is a chance for the king to look ahead, meet young people and discuss issues such as climate change. Charles noted that 90 percent of the Bahamas' land lies below two metres. He will meet groups working on coral restoration in Antigua and Barbuda and rainforest conservation in Guyana.
