King's Caribbean tour will not shy away from 'darkest days of our past'

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   King Charles III to address slavery during Caribbean tour without formal apology

   King Charles III will acknowledge the "darkest days" of British colonial rule and the transatlantic slave trade during an upcoming tour of the Caribbean. Buckingham Palace confirmed the monarch will not shy away from the issue of slavery but will not offer a formal apology or reparations. The King and Queen Camilla will visit Guyana and The Bahamas before attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda later this month. While the King has previously expressed "personal sorrow" regarding the UK's role in slavery, the official stance for this trip remains non-apologetic.

   Why it matters

   The tour occurs amid ongoing international calls for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. This visit tests the monarchy's approach to colonial history within the Commonwealth. The outcome may influence future relations between the UK and its former Caribbean colonies.

   What is confirmed

   • King Charles III will acknowledge the "darkest days" of Britain's colonial rule during his Caribbean tour.
   • Buckingham Palace stated the King will not formally apologise for the transatlantic slave trade.
   • The King and Queen Camilla will visit The Bahamas and Guyana.
   • The King will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
   • King Charles has previously expressed "personal sorrow" regarding the UK's role in slavery.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The King will not offer reparations during his address on the Caribbean tour.

   What to watch next

   • Official speeches delivered during the visits to Guyana and The Bahamas
   • The King's address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
   • Reactions from Caribbean leaders following the tour's conclusion
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. The Guardian — King Charles III to acknowledge ‘darkest days’ of Britain’s colonial rule during Caribbean tour
   2. Reuters — No apology but King Charles will not shy away from slavery issue during Caribbean tour, Buckingham Palace says
   3. The Times — King will not apologise for slave trade on Caribbean tour
   4. Town & Country Magazine — King Charles’s Caribbean Trip Will “Not Shy Away” From Addressing Slavery, Palace Says
   5. BBC — King's Caribbean tour will not shy away from 'darkest days of our past'
   6. www.mirror.co.uk — King Charles will not 'shy away from darkest days of our past' on Caribbean tour
   7. nycaribnews.com — King Charles – No Apology, No Reparations From Address on Caribbean Tour
   8. www.bbc.co.uk — King's Caribbean tour will not shy away from 'darkest days of our past' - BBC News
   9. www.bbc.co.uk — King's Caribbean Tour Will Not Shy Away From 'Darkest Days of Our Past' - BBC iPlayer
   10. www.hellomagazine.com — Inside King Charles's Caribbean tour as he prepares to acknowledge 'darkest days of our past'
   11. kaieteurnewsonline.com — No apology but King Charles will not shy away from slavery issue during Caribbean tour, Buckingham Palace....
   12. www.indiatoday.in — King Charles to evoke 'darkest days' on Caribbean tour, but no sorry for slavery - India Today
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