King Charles will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) today, where he is expected to acknowledge the "dark times" of slavery in an address to gathered presidents and prime ministers. The King is expected to speak on the issue with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow" amid calls for Britain to apologise and pay reparations.
Prime Minister Attends Amid Reparations Row
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who last week declared that he is "open" to Britain apologising for its slavery past, will be in attendance. The PM is set to hand £40m to Caribbean projects today amid the growing row. On the first day of the Commonwealth summit, Mr Burnham will pledge money towards green energy schemes in the West Indies and set out plans to help poorer Commonwealth members grappling with higher debt costs.
Charles will preside over the event in his role as head of the Commonwealth but is politically neutral and will not take part in discussions, unusually held informally without aides in the room. His role is about "inspiring and convening, rather than policy making", a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.
King Meets Burnham for First Time Since Apology Comments
Last night, the King met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Prime Minister's comments about Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade. The two men were reunited at a Commonwealth Business Forum held at the Sticky Wicket, a bar and restaurant alongside a cricket ground. As he arrived, Mr Burnham was asked by journalists whether he had "made things more difficult" for the King.
Replying to ITV News outside the event, he said: "No. We are reaching out and listening. The whole aim here has been to come and listen and bring a new approach to the Commonwealth, and to bring people together." Mr Burnham has been criticised by opponents claiming he has put the King under pressure by stating he is open to "listening to calls for a formal apology" about slavery, but ruled out reparations.
Tour Ends With Weight of Expectation
Charles is coming to the end of a nine-day tour of the Caribbean which has seen him first visit the Bahamas and carry out a state visit to Guyana. On the first day, the King acknowledged the "great suffering of the past" and confirmed CHOGM would discuss the legacy of slavery. As the King nears the end of his tour, he more than anyone will realise that the world is watching, with every word he utters weighed and picked apart in capitals from St John's to Georgetown to London.
