King Charles Says U.K.’s Role in Slave Trade ‘Fills My Heart With Horror’

Live updates

1. 33m ago

   King Charles Addresses Slave Trade At Summit

   King Charles delivered a keynote address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, stating that the transatlantic slave trade fills his heart with horror and describing it as a shameful chapter in history. While addressing the gathering, the monarch stopped short of offering a formal apology. The speech coincides with intensifying demands from Caribbean campaigners and leaders for formal apologies and financial reparations from the United Kingdom regarding its historic role in slavery. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was among the leaders attending the summit.

   Why it matters

   The debate over British involvement in the transatlantic slave trade has intensified as Caribbean nations and campaigners push for formal apologies and reparations. Proponents argue that debt relief and aid are insufficient replacements for direct reparations. Meanwhile, critics such as the former Archbishop of Canterbury have argued that reparations would constitute an unjust fine on the British public.

   What is confirmed

   • King Charles stated that the slave trade fills his heart with horror and called it a shameful chapter in history during an address in Antigua and Barbuda.
   • The monarch stopped short of issuing a formal apology during his keynote speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
   • UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham attended the summit in Antigua where the speeches and meetings took place.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The UK government is committing to time-bound talks regarding a slavery apology.

   What to watch next

   • Further responses from Commonwealth leaders regarding demands for slavery reparations.
   • Potential formal policy announcements from the UK government concerning time-bound talks on a slavery apology.
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. Reuters — As reparations debate grows, Caribbean campaigners point to one British family's example
   2. Al Jazeera — A response to Andy Burnham: We need an apology and reparations
   3. The Independent — Slavery reparations would be ‘a vast unjust fine on the British people’, says ex-Archbishop of Canterbury
   4. The New York Times — King Charles to Give ‘Unflinching’ Speech on UK’s Role in Slave Trade
   5. The Guardian — King Charles addresses summit as campaigners intensify demands for apology for slavery
   6. Yahoo — King Charles shares heartfelt speech on slavery during Caribbean tour: ‘Evil need not have the last word’
   7. www.dailymail.com — King Charles says 'shameful' transatlantic slave trade 'fills ...
   8. The Guardian — Debt relief and aid no replacement for slavery reparations, UK told
   9. BBC — UK commits to 'time-bound' talks on slavery apology
   10. World Socialist Web Site — Burnham, King Charles and the dead end of apologies and reparations for slavery
   11. www.bbc.com — King calls slave trade a 'shameful chapter' during ... - BBC
   12. www.bbc.com — King describes slave trade as 'shameful chapter' that 'fills ...
   confidence 95%