The monarch will speak of the “shameful aspects” of British history with “unflinching honesty”.
The palace said the king, who is politically neutral, could not announce a change in government policy and that “it would not be appropriate” for him to do so. The Labour prime minister, who took office in July, said he was open to a formal apology but ruled out financial reparations demanded by some Caribbean countries. However, Charles is not expected to issue a formal apology. Burnham, meanwhile, is using the summit to discuss Britain’s historical role in slavery with leaders of Commonwealth nations.
The monarch will speak of the “shameful aspects” of British history with “unflinching honesty” and express “sincere sorrow” over the country’s involvement in slavery when he opens the summit on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace has said. The two leaders discussed Britain’s proposal for a structured dialogue with communities affected by the transatlantic slave trade and the next steps in the process, Downing Street said. In an article published in The Guardian on Saturday, Burnham said he would have “difficult conversations” to protect the future of the Commonwealth.
Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade will be in focus at a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Antigua and Barbuda, where King Charles III is expected to acknowledge the country’s painful past while Prime Minister Andy Burnham discusses the possibility of a formal apology. Instead, the UK is pursuing a debt restructuring initiative for the poorest Commonwealth nations. The plan, led by former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, could change the interest rates countries pay on their loans.
Burnham discussed the issue with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Monday, during one of several bilateral meetings he is expected to hold at the summit.