King Charles began his Caribbean tour by acknowledging the “great suffering of the past” and confirmed that Commonwealth leaders will discuss the legacy of slavery at a major summit.
Speaking at an event celebrating Bahamian youth, staged where the country's independence from the UK was declared, he said its culture was “born out of darkness”.
Royal Visit Begins in the Bahamas
The King arrived in the Bahamas to a ceremonial welcome and attended a youth parade. He spoke at the Future Bahamas Youth Rally and Exhibition at Clifford Park, the historic site where the Bahamas officially gained independence in 1973.
Charles told hundreds of schoolchildren and leading politicians: “Some of what is best in Bahamian culture today, the most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright was born out of darkness.
“It is only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past in these islands and beyond, even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future.
“I know leaders of the governments of affected Commonwealth countries will be discussing these matters in Antigua and Barbuda next week.”
Calls for Apology and Reparations
The visit comes in the wake of renewed calls from Caribbean nations for Britain to apologise for its role in selling enslaved people for profit and for reparations. Outside the event grounds, a small reparations protest of around a dozen people carried placards with the words: “Pay us what you owe us”.
In the run-up to the leaders' summit, the Commonwealth's secretary general Shirley Botchwey said last week it “wouldn't hurt” when asked during an interview whether the King should apologise. Guyana's president, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said recently that Charles has recognised slavery as the darkest days in human history – but moving to the apology is “the next step”.
Summit and Government Position
The nine-day regional tour, which includes a solo state visit to Guyana, will culminate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) hosted by Antigua and Barbuda and presided over by the King, joined by the Queen, in his role as head of the “family of Nations”. The Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will join the King in Antigua for the gathering.
The King follows the guidance of his ministers, and it is understood the Government has not advised him to offer an apology or reparations, in keeping with established policy. The UK Government's position on reparations acknowledges the trade in enslaved people was abhorrent and its impact is still felt today, but it will not pay financial reparations for historical acts that did not break international laws at the time and is committed to continued dialogue with Commonwealth nations.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “At the request of host Governments, the King's programme will primarily focus on shining a light on the many modern partnerships and opportunities for the future that are having a transformative effect on the region, as it confronts the challenges of today.
“For His Majesty, this tour is both a new journey but also the continuance of a lifelong one, in which he has sought to engage, understand and educate about the most shameful aspects of our past. This will therefore also be reflected in differing ways and words during the tour, as you would expect.”
