King Charles to Speak on Slavery at Commonwealth Meeting in Antigua

King Charles III arrived in Antigua on Friday evening as the last stop of his Caribbean tour.

The palace announced that the monarch will speak to Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday, promising “unflinching honesty” and “sincere sorrow” about the lasting pain of the trans‑Atlantic slave trade.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham earlier said he is “open” to the possibility of the United Kingdom formally apologising for its role in slavery, indicating a potential change in the government’s stance.

According to the palace, Burnham’s comments were shared in an opinion piece on Friday night, and the King has not altered his speech in response.

The British government has never issued a formal apology for slavery nor offered reparations, and Burnham has previously adhered to the policy of his predecessors, stopping short of discussing reparations.

The speech will be delivered at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and a palace spokesperson said the King “will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past during this visit.”

The spokesperson added that it would be “not appropriate” for the King to comment on policy matters relating to the UK government’s position.

The Caribbean tour has placed the King in ongoing debates over the UK’s colonial legacy. In the Bahamas, his first stop, he spoke of “the suffering of the past.” In Guyana, he visited a slave rebellion site where hundreds of enslaved people were killed.

Buckingham Palace described the visit as an opportunity for the King to learn more about the history of slavery and resistance, alongside discussions on the environment, youth opportunities, and trade relationships with the UK.

These engagements set the stage for the upcoming Commonwealth speech, where the monarch is expected to address the legacy of slavery with the tone outlined by the palace.