The King pointedly avoided any suggestion of a British apology over slavery in his keynote Commonwealth speech today and insisted ‘we cannot change the past’.
Charles did however acknowledge that the transatlantic trade in enslaved people ‘still casts a shadow’ and that ‘shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow’.
The 77-year-old monarch, who sounded slightly tired after a gruelling week-long Caribbean tour, has been caught in the crossfire as head of the Commonwealth between British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Caribbean campaigners.
Mr Burnham caused a storm after saying he is open to discussions over an apology but not reparations, while protesters say the time has come for the UK to pay up.
Addressing the issue, the King said in Antigua and Barbuda today: ‘None of us, of course, would be here today were it not for our history, which has shaped us in myriad ways. History is not ours to choose or to change.
‘It is bequeathed to us in complex synthesis by forebears we can never know. Our inheritance includes both their achievements and their failures – the good they did as well as the wrongs.
‘History can be hard to compass, viewed as it is through the prism of time, which can be both clarifying and distorting, and yet its consequences resonate with contemporary force.
‘Our history inspires us, can appal us, yet it can always teach us. We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past.
The King delivers his keynote speech to Commonwealth leaders in Antigua and Barbuda today
King Charles is pictured during a reception for new heads of government in Antigua
King Charles speaks with Andy Burnham and other heads of government during his tour of Antigua
Queen Camilla shakes hands with the wife of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Marie-France van Heel, during a visit to Princess Margaret School
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive today at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the National Performing Arts Centre of Antigua and Barbuda
‘The transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands and other Members of our Commonwealth. As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow.’
The King continued in a punchy reference to Britain’s leading role in also ending the global slave trade: ‘And yet history also teaches us that evil need not have the last word; that character and courage can combine to overcome the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people, in which the Royal Navy played such a leading role.
‘The more I have furthered my own understanding of the issues, through listening, learning and looking, the more committed I have become to finding ways for us to work in modern partnership to address the wrongs of the past with action for the future.
‘Through improving access to education, investing in jobs and opportunities, encouraging intra-Commonwealth trade, and inspiring vital climate resilience measures across the world, I have always felt that there is so much that can be done to help lift up those who struggle against hardship and disadvantage.
‘I have always tried to play my part in doing just that. For, as any sailor navigating the seas knows, we cannot command the winds, least of all where the winds of yesterday have delivered us – but we can choose how we set our sails.
‘The Commonwealth of today is not merely a product of the past – it is a response to the world of today. Its vocation is more compelling than ever.
‘In fact, in a desperately troubled world, the Commonwealth has welcomed new members who see the unique value of this organisation and have chosen to be part of its future.’
Speaking to a packed audience of around 1,200 delegates, the King – wearing a grey suit and lilac tie – marked the official opening of the leaders’ segment of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) summit.
Camilla is pictured with Mr Burnham’s wife, Marie-France van Heel, and the wife of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Jodie Haydon
Camilla speaks with a student during a visit to Princess Margaret School today
Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrives at the meeting opening in Antigua and Barbuda today
Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets actor Sir Idris Elba ahead of the meeting in Antigua today
The 15-minute speech also focused on climate change, international trade and youth opportunity.
Charles ended it by saying: ‘Above all, Ladies and Gentlemen, I trust that each of you will recommit yourselves to a Commonwealth in which our young people can look to the future with greater confidence and purpose.
‘So that from this remarkable family of nations, our people can draw inspiration and hope – just as I, myself, have always done.’
There was a short round of applause after his speech. The only reaction was some laughter from the room when Charles described Antigua as ‘small island, big vibes’.
Following the speech, a choir and various performances in costume took to the stage to dance and sing a sequence of scenes for around half an hour.
They told the history of Antigua and Barbuda, with references to slavery in the performances and images in a video played out on a screen behind Charles, seeming to depict slaves working the land.
‘What happened in the darkness must come to the light,’ shouted one of the singing dancers, during the performance, as Charles watched from his seat.
The performances and videos also referenced climate and environmental issues. At times, Charles tapped his feet and clapped his fingers in time to the music.
After the performances, the ‘family photo’ was taken of all Commonwealth member states on stage.
Security around the conference centre was tight but some protestors had gathered along the roads surrounding the site ahead of the King’s arrival, holding placards and wearing T-shirts which read: ‘Crimes against humanity could never be legal. Apologise now’; ‘You say you regret so apologise. Reparatory justice now’; and ‘Apologise for the greatest crime against humanity and let’s have reparatory justice.’
King Charles stands with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and other leaders at the welcome reception for new heads of government
Activists hold signs calling for slavery reparations as the meeting takes place in Antigua today
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (right) walks with Gaston Browne (left), Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, at the Government House Museum in St John’s before the meeting today
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, wearing a sapphire blue embroidered tunic top and palazzo trousers by Anna Valentine, His Majesty was greeted at the National Performing Arts Centre of Antigua and Barbuda, marking the start of the leaders’ segment of the summit.
They were welcomed by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams, his wife Lady Williams and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey.
Inside the auditorium, the opening ceremony commenced with a fanfare followed by the National Anthem of Antigua and Barbuda played on steel drums and a short prayer.
The run-up to the meeting has been dominated by a row over reparations following Mr Burnham’s decision to reveal he was open to starting a dialogue with former colonies over a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade on the eve of the meeting of 56 Commonwealth nations in the Caribbean.
He has ruled out Britain paying compensation, but that has done little to dampen down the growing chorus of demands.
It has placed Charles, as head of the Commonwealth and head of state in a number of Caribbean nations, in an invidious position, as he also follows the advice of the British government.
Earlier, Buckingham Palace vowed the King would address the issue in his opening speech today with ‘unflinching honesty, sincere sorrow, and respect’.
In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, who earlier this week openly spoke of his hope that his country would ditch Charles as King and reiterated his demands for reparations, addressed the issues again.
Speaking with Charles sitting on a large white armchair before him, he said: ‘In Samoa [where the previous CHOGM was held] we agreed that the time had come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation on reparatory justice.
‘We must now carry that commitment forward though structured, inclusive dialogue on the enduring consequences of slavery and colonialism, with a determination to make progress and the willingness to build consensus.’
