King Charles is facing mounting pressure to apologise for Britain's role in the slave trade ahead of his upcoming royal tour of the Caribbean. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has said the time has come to open discussions about reparations payments.
Asked by Sky News whether King Charles should apologise, Botchwey, the first woman from Africa to lead the Commonwealth, replied: "That's what the countries have asked for... It wouldn't hurt to have that. Not at all."
Buckingham Palace's Position
Buckingham Palace said earlier this month that King Charles would not formally apologise for slavery while touring the Caribbean, but he will not shy away from the "darkest days" of colonial rule. The King used the same words when he attended a ceremony to mark Barbados becoming a republic in 2021, telling those gathered that Britain's history is stained by the "appalling atrocity of slavery".
The British Government has repeatedly rejected calls for slavery reparations payments. Instead, ministers argue that their focus is on helping the Caribbean tackle challenges around climate change, security and economic growth.
Historical Context
British kings and queens from Elizabeth I to William IV supported slavery. Charles II invested in the slave trade, granting a royal charter to the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading in Africa. James II was the largest shareholder in the Royal African Company, while William IV opposed abolition, defending slavery in speeches delivered in the Lords.
