King Charles III expressed sorrow regarding the transatlantic slave trade

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, King Charles III of the United Kingdom spoke at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. In his speech, the monarch acknowledged the enduring pain of the United Kingdom's historical role in the transatlantic slave trade amid growing demands from Caribbean leaders for official apologies and reparations.

Addressing representatives of the 56 member states of the organization, Charles III refrained from offering state apologies or endorsing direct financial compensation, sharing his personal feelings instead. He noted that the slave trade still casts a shadow over the region, calling this historical chapter shameful and one that fills his heart with horror and deep sorrow.

"We cannot change the actions of those who lived before us. However, we can learn lessons from the past," the monarch stated, calling for a focus on constructive engagement.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also attended the opening of the summit. Parallel to the meeting in St. John's, demonstrations by activists took place, including the "Citizens for Reparatory Justice" association, which demanded compensation for the enslavement of 10 to 15 million Africans over four centuries.

Official London opposes direct payments, proposing instead a structured dialogue and a debt restructuring program for developing Commonwealth economies facing high debt service costs and vulnerability to climate change. During the week-long meetings in Antigua, leaders of the countries plan to agree on the terms of the British debt relief mechanism, discuss expanding trade, and attract funds for climate adaptation.