King Charles will not formally apologise for Britain's historical role in the transatlantic slave trade or offer compensation during his Caribbean tour this week, with a Palace spokesperson confirming the visits will focus on the "vibrant present and promising future" of the three countries involved.
The monarch, who has previously described slavery as an "appalling atrocity" that "forever stains our history", will instead reflect on the subject in speeches and visit memorials to victims. Buckingham Palace has acknowledged that "important discussions are taking place" about colonial legacy, but the King will not be drawn into matters of reparations.
Constitutional limits on the monarch
While the King is expected to face questions on the issue, the decision on whether to apologise or provide financial compensation is not his to make. As a constitutional monarch, Charles acts on the advice of his Government, whose official policy opposes financial reparations and a formal apology.
No10 considers the slave trade abhorrent, but lawyers have advised that reparations are not required, as the acts were not violations of international law when they were committed. If the Government were to change its position, it would advise the King accordingly, but while it opposes an apology and reparations, that remains the King's stance.
Caribbean tour and Commonwealth meeting
The issue is set to arise throughout the trip, particularly at this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Antigua and Barbuda. Buckingham Palace acknowledged that the meeting "comes at an important time in the history of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the countries of the Caribbean in particular".
Pressure has already mounted, with the President of Guyana stating that reparative justice must include a "full and unconditional apology" for the slave trade, while the Bahalas National Reparations Committee warned the King: "Don't come empty-handed."
A Palace spokesman said: "There are important discussions taking place in various fora about colonial legacy and the intergenerational impact of the transatlantic trade in enslaved persons. While these are primarily matters for governments to address, His Majesty's previous statements on them have been unequivocal, describing them as an 'atrocity' which 'forever stains our history'."
The spokesman added that the visit programme will not shy away from "the darkest days of our past", but will principally be oriented to the vibrant present and promising future of each country, with programmes developed in close consultation with their governments to reflect individual priorities.
