King calls slave trade a 'shameful chapter' during Commonwealth address

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   King Charles calls transatlantic slave trade a "shameful chapter" at Commonwealth summit

   King Charles III described the transatlantic slave trade as a "shameful chapter of history" and a "monstrous injustice" during the opening of a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua. While expressing "profound sorrow," the King stopped short of issuing a formal apology. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is discussing a potential slavery apology and planning a debt re-set for Commonwealth nations. These developments occur amid intensifying demands from Caribbean campaigners for formal reparations and apologies for Britain's historic role in the slave trade.

   Why it matters

   The transatlantic slave trade remains a source of diplomatic tension between the UK and former colonies. Current discussions focus on whether moral acknowledgments should be accompanied by financial reparations. This summit serves as a focal point for these long-standing grievances.

   What is confirmed

   • King Charles III described the transatlantic slave trade as a "shameful chapter of history" and a "monstrous injustice".
   • The King expressed "profound sorrow" during his address to Commonwealth leaders in Antigua.
   • King Charles did not issue a formal apology during his speech.
   • Prime Minister Andy Burnham is planning a debt re-set for Commonwealth nations.
   • Campaigners in the Caribbean are demanding a formal apology and reparations for slavery.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A slavery apology will not bring costs for the UK taxpayer according to Miliband.
   • The Prime Minister is mulling a formal apology for slavery.

   What to watch next

   • Official confirmation of a UK government apology for slavery
   • Details of the proposed debt re-set for Commonwealth nations
   • Formal responses from Caribbean leaders to the King's address
   Sources used for this update (26)

   1. uk.news.yahoo.com — Trucker strikes emptied my local supermarket shelves: Shopping locally made all the difference
   2. nilepost.co.ug — Gov’t Warns of Growing Disease Burden, Calls for Increased Health Spending
   3. The New York Times — King Charles Meets Both Joy and Criticism on Caribbean Tour
   4. Reuters — As reparations debate grows, Caribbean campaigners point to one British family's example
   5. BBC — PM plans debt re-set for Commonwealth nations as slavery apology talks begin
   6. Al Jazeera — A response to Andy Burnham: We need an apology and reparations
   7. The New York Times — King Charles to Give ‘Unflinching’ Speech on UK’s Role in Slave Trade
   8. The Guardian — As King Charles visits the Caribbean, is the reparations movement approaching a tipping point?
   9. The Guardian — King tells Commonwealth leaders that Britain’s role in slave trade was ‘shameful’ but stops short of apology – UK politics live
   10. The Guardian — King Charles addresses summit as campaigners intensify demands for apology for slavery
   11. BBC — King calls slave trade a 'shameful chapter' during Commonwealth address
   12. The Guardian — The Guardian view on apologising for slavery: a necessary process has at last begun
   confidence 90%