King Charles Apologises for Britain's Colonial past at Commonwealth Summit Amid Calls for Slavery Reparations

King Charles has acknowledged ‘painful aspects’ of the UK's past, dodging calls to directly address slavery reparations at a summit of Commonwealth leaders, saying ‘none of us can change the past, but we can commit ourselves... to learning its lessons’.

Charles was addressing leaders representing the 56 Commonwealth countries at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Pacific nation of Samoa, his first time attending a summit since coming to the throne. In his speech, the King also addressed the climate crisis, development challenges and paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth.

Some leaders attending the Chogm hoped that Charles would use his speech as an opportunity to apologise for Britain's colonial past and that this year's summit would discuss the theme of reparative justice. Charles appeared to acknowledge the leaders' concerns but did not directly address the issue.

‘I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate. It is therefore vital that we understand our history to help us make the right choices for the future,’ he said.

‘Where inequalities exist... we have to find the right ways and the right language to address them. As we look out at the world and consider the many challenges that are of deep concern, let us, within our Commonwealth family, choose the language of community and respect and reject the language of division.’

Some countries in Africa and the Caribbean have called on Britain and other European states to pay financial compensation for slavery.

Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis told AFP that the debate about the past is vital.

‘It's time for a real dialogue about how we right these historical wrongs,’ he said.

‘Reparative justice is not an easy conversation to have, but it is an important one,’ Davis said. ‘The horrors of slavery have left a deep wound for generations in our communities, and the fight for justice and reparations is far from over.’