King Charles and Queen Camilla visited a moving exhibition charting Antigua and Barbuda's tragic links with the slave trade as leaders from across the Commonwealth prepare to meet on the Caribbean island.
Charles and Camilla visited Government House today, where they were shown exhibits explaining the history of slavery in Antigua and Barbuda, including the Declaration of Emancipation from 30 June 1834. The royal couple listened intently as stories of enslaved people on sugar plantations were explained to them.
Charles also stood by a wall display showing the cross-section of a slave ship that carried emancipated people from Africa to the Caribbean. He looked at displays of slave shackles and a conch shell used by enslaved people to call meetings and summon them to work.
Exhibition's message of progress
Cuthbert Forbes, senior assistant to Sandra Williams, the wife of the Governor-General Sir Rodney William, said the royals' tour was "not about confronting them with slavery." He added: "Telling that story for us as black Caribbean people this story of how far we have come and the battles we have fought."
"We are standing on the precipice and welcome the Head of State even though we are independent we have that link. And we want to tell that story."
Dr Reg Murphy, Secretary General National Commission UNESCO Antigua and Barbuda, said: "I want them (King and Queen) to take away that this is a new developing country, it's a forward looking nation, and we shouldn't be dragging the anchors of our past. We have one history and one past. It is all about moving forwards."
Commonwealth address and reparations debate
The King and Queen's visit came on the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, where Charles will tomorrow make the keynote speech to delegates. The monarch is expected to address colonial legacy with "unflinching honesty", in keeping with the wider CHOGM agenda.
Royal sources said his words will focus on wider areas of opportunity and challenge for all 56 Commonwealth nations. A Palace source said this would include themes that the King has championed throughout his life, including nature restoration, climate resilience, sustainable finance and partnership between governments, business and civil society.
The King's nine-day tour of the region, including visits to The Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua, has been dominated by calls for an apology for slavery and pleas to the government for reparations to be paid to affected nations. Within two hours of arriving in The Bahamas last Tuesday, Charles, 77, said "it is only right we should acknowledge the great suffering of the past in these islands and beyond".
Previously he has spoken publicly of his "sorrow and regret" for the "appalling atrocities of our past". Yet, he was criticised by campaigners and activists for not going far enough.
On Friday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham signalled that he was "open" to Britain apologising for its role in the slave trade, but confirmed reparations would not be paid. Sources suggest Charles' constitutional role as monarch prevents him from apologising directly, saying the matter was solely for the government.
Caribbean leaders and royal events
Despite a warm welcome wherever he has gone, the King has had to contend with Caribbean leaders making statements about the future of the Crown in the region. Antigua's prime minister said on Sunday that while he had great respect for the King, he believed the time had come to become a republic.
Gaston Browne's comments followed Bahamas prime minister Philip Davis saying he would also be "open" to forging a new future. In an interview with ITV News, Mr Browne said if there was no compensation for the UK's role in the transatlantic slave trade there could be a repeat of "atrocities". Mr Browne said the Caribbean nations were not "coming for Britain", suggesting money could be found in Britain's overseas development budget.
On the subject of reparations he suggested the issue "is not absolutely money, simply, money", adding "Some people think, I think, acknowledgment, firstly...which has been the first step, which we have now recognised. Acknowledgement, education, training, things of that nature."
Charles and Camilla were cheered on by a 5,000 strong crowd on Sunday night at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket stadium in St Johns, Antigua. The King tossed a ceremonial coin for a special Commonwealth cricket match and also met four West Indies Cricketing Knights, including Sir Viv, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts, and Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Sir Vivian was announced as a new ambassador for the King's Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) programme and said: "I can't tell you what an immense privilege it is to be asked and I have gladly accepted. I am delighted to help my country and these islands raise the profile in any way I can."
Charles' SMI was founded in 2020 when he was Prince of Wales, to help the world transition to a sustainable future, and it is involved in a number of events during CHOGM, including the Commonwealth Business Forum being staged later, where the King will meet participants in the Commonwealth Leaders and CEOs Summit.
Rainy stadium arrival
Amid the carnival atmosphere at the stadium, including a colourful Independence Day parade, celebrating 45 years of Antiguan independence, Charles was left waiting in the rain for an umbrella when he was caught in a torrential downpour. The monarch threw up his arms and gesticulated wildly as he asked for an umbrella when the heavens opened just as he arrived at the cricket stadium.
Queen Camilla was quickly handed her see-through dome umbrella and rushed to nearby royal seating and later saw the funny side of the moment. The head of state appeared to mime holding an umbrella and repeatedly said to members of his entourage: "Where's the umbrella?" When one was eventually found and handed to King Charles, celebrations which had a strong military theme began.
Charles stood on a small dais as dozens of troops stood to attention on the cricket pitch, now a parade ground, then moved off sheltering under the umbrella to inspect the service personnel. When the King returned, he was cheered by the crowds, just as he was when he arrived, and acknowledged their warmth with a wave.
The downpour ended as quickly as it began, lasting around five minutes and allowing the programme of celebrations to continue in the dry. Charles later quipped: "I've started growing watercress on my trousers."
