King Charles confirms he will discuss legacy of slavery at Commonwealth summit
King Charles has confirmed he will discuss the legacy of slavery at a summit with Commonwealth leaders during his Caribbean tour, which began in the Bahamas.
The king arrived in the Bahamas to a ceremonial welcome and attended a youth rally at Clifford Park, the site where the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1973. His visit comes amid renewed calls from Caribbean nations for Britain to apologize for the atrocities of transatlantic slavery and engage in reparations talks.
Charles's nine-day tour will culminate in him presiding over the Commonwealth heads of government meeting hosted by Antigua and Barbuda, following a solo state visit to Guyana. The tour represents a significant moment in the monarchy's engagement with its colonial past.
Royal statement on slavery
In his speech in the Bahamas, Charles acknowledged the complex relationship between Britain and its former colonies. He said: 'Some of what is best in Bahamian culture today, the most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright, was born out of darkness.'
The monarch added that it is 'only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering of the past in these islands and beyond, even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future.' He confirmed that Commonwealth leaders would discuss the legacy of slavery at the upcoming summit in Antigua.
Some of what is best in Bahamian culture today, the most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright, was born out of darkness.
Reparations demands
However, the Bahamas National Reparations Committee rejected the king's comments as insufficient. In a statement, they said his remarks 'fall short of what justice requires' and called for a 'full and formal apology' rather than acknowledgment of cultural achievements born from suffering.
Dr Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean, the committee's chair, told The Guardian that while she appreciated the king's attempt to 'connect with Bahamian culture,' his words felt 'like hollow platitudes.' She emphasized that Bahamian culture was born out of 'agency and out of the will to survive despite the horrors, trauma and degradation.'
We therefore do not need King Charles to tell us how outstanding our culture is … We need him to speak about his role in the darkness and how he plans to atone for it actively.
Caribbean expectations
Prof Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caribbean Community Reparations Commission, stressed that the region was seeking 'proprietary justice, beginning with remorse.' He urged the king to 'dig deep within his consciousness' and give Caribbean young people the same 'empowerment that he would give to his own children.'
The king follows the guidance of his ministers, and it is understood the British government has not advised him to offer an apology or reparations, maintaining established policy. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will join Charles in Antigua for the Commonwealth gathering.
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