King Charles III Acknowledges Slavery Legacy at Commonwealth Summit
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — King Charles III addressed a summit of Commonwealth countries in Samoa on Friday, acknowledging the enduring impact of Britain’s colonial past and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. He noted that while the past cannot be changed, it is essential to learn from it to address ongoing inequalities.
The British monarch emphasized, “None of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons.” He urged leaders to find the “right language” to understand history and guide future actions toward equality. This summit marks Charles’ first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) as the head of state.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also acknowledged the “hard” shared history, although he previously advocated against the summit getting bogged down in discussions about reparations. Starmer stated the importance of recognizing the “strength of feeling” surrounding calls for reparative justice.
Starmer expressed a desire to collaborate with Commonwealth leaders to ensure future discussions do not dwell solely on past injustices, promising to host a U.K.-Caribbean forum next year focusing on the nations most affected by the legacy of slavery.
The handling of Britain’s historical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade is considered a significant issue for the Commonwealth, especially as other European nations begin to confront their histories. Jacqueline McKenzie, a partner at London law firm Leigh Day, remarked, “The time has come for this to be taken seriously.” She indicated that while not everyone expects financial reparations, negotiations to address historical injustices are warranted.
The U.K. has yet to issue a formal apology for its past actions, with some estimates suggesting the country could owe vast sums in compensation to descendants of slaves. Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis has also voiced the need for a direct dialogue with Starmer regarding reparations, hoping to include this topic in the summit’s concluding statement.
While Starmer stated that reparations would not be on the official agenda, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland confirmed that leaders would be free to discuss any topic during private discussions.
King Charles reiterated that true progress toward eliminating inequality lies in fostering an environment of genuine opportunity within the Commonwealth. He urged leaders to prioritize community and respect over division.
The king recalled how the Commonwealth was immensely significant to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was viewed as a unifying figure amongst the varied member states.
The discussions surrounding reparations risk overshadowing the summit, which leaders had hoped would focus on the critical issue of climate change. King Charles emphasized the urgency of climate action, referencing the recent catastrophic events affecting various regions. “We are well past believing it is a problem for the future since it is already undermining the development we have long fought for,” he stated.
Samoa, the first Pacific Island nation to host the summit, highlighted the realities faced by Pacific nations due to climate change. Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa described the event as a crucial opportunity to share their experiences concerning this urgent threat.
With 56 member states comprising approximately 2.7 billion people, the Commonwealth organization continues to navigate complex historical legacies while addressing contemporary challenges like climate change.