King Charles has received a rare boost after Express readers overwhelmingly backed his decision not to apologise for slavery during his Caribbean tour this week. The monarch has faced pressure over whether the UK should apologise for its role in the slave trade, but a poll conducted by the Express shows 98% of voters agreed with his choice not to do so.
Poll Results Show Strong Support
In the latest Express poll, readers were asked: "Should King Charles have apologised for slavery?" Out of 3,482 voters, 69 (2%) voted yes, 3,400 (98%) voted no, and 13 (0%) voted don't know. The poll ran from 3.40pm on Tuesday, November 3, until 7.40pm on Thursday, November 5.
The King did include moments of reflection on slavery during his tour, addressing Britain's role in the slave trade. In a highly anticipated speech, he said: "History is not ours to choose or change", adding: "Our history inspires us, can appal us, yet it can always teach us. We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past."
King Acknowledges Slavery's Shadow
Reflecting on the slave trade, the King acknowledged that it still "casts a shadow over these islands and other Members of our Commonwealth" but highlighted that the British Royal Navy played a key part in bringing an end to the abhorrent trade. "As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow," he said.
"And yet history also teaches us that evil need not have the last word; that character and courage can combine to overcome the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people, in which the Royal Navy played such a leading role."
Commitment to Future Action
The King said he is "committed" to addressing "the wrongs of the past with action for the future". He added: "Through improving access to education, investing in jobs and opportunities, encouraging intra Commonwealth trade, and inspiring vital climate resilience measures across the world, I have always felt that there is so much that can be done to help lift up those who struggle against hardship and disadvantage. I have always tried to play my part in doing just that."
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said the time had come to open discussions about reparations payments. The first woman from Africa to lead the Commonwealth told Sky News when asked if King Charles should apologise: "That's what the countries have asked for... It wouldn't hurt to have that. Not at all."
King Charles's speech in Antigua had become of heightened interest after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would be "open" to the possibility of the UK formally apologising for its role in slavery.
