Prime Minister Andy Burnham has offered to discuss a British apology for slavery in a Guardian article on Friday, a move that has undermined King Charles's position just before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The King, who is on a nine-day Caribbean tour, will give the opening address to the 56 member states on Tuesday.
King's careful approach to colonial legacy
Throughout the tour, the King has followed the UK Government's position that Britain would not apologise for its role in the slave trade or offer reparations. Shortly after arriving in the Bahamas, Charles said the country's culture was "born out of darkness" and that it was "only right" to acknowledge historic injustices. He also confirmed that CHOGM leaders would discuss the region's legacy of slavery.
In Guyana, the King paused to reflect at the site where slaves were publicly executed in 1823 after a failed bid to secure freedom. Prior to the trip, the Palace emphasised that the King would only follow his Government's advice, but a spokesperson said Charles would not "shy away" from colonial legacy during the tour.
Timing of Burnham's comments
While the King was in the air on his way to Antigua and Barbuda for the final leg of his trip, Burnham suggested a change in the long-held position. He will fly out to join the King and Queen for CHOGM this week, which Charles is presiding over in his role as head of the "family of nations".
The mood in the Caribbean is that the Prime Minister has completely undermined the King's position and put him in a difficult spot right before his big speech. The timing of Burnham's words could not have been worse and risks throwing the King's largely successful Caribbean tour off track.
Palace position unchanged
Officially, the Palace position remains unchanged. They continue to highlight that "the King will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past" and sources have said the Palace were informed of the comments "in a timely manner".
While many will welcome the Prime Minister's shift, his comments suggest he is attempting to make CHOGM all about him and his leadership, detracting from the King's diplomacy over the past week. The Prince and Princess of Wales know all too well how quickly things can turn against them on a Caribbean trip after their 2022 tour descended into a PR nightmare.
