King Charles III Addresses Slavery Legacy at Summit

At the Commonwealth summit in Samoa, King Charles III acknowledged Britain's historical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, stating that the 'most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate'. However, he did not offer any apologies or discuss financial reparations, echoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's stance that the UK cannot change the past but should focus on addressing present inequalities. Starmer described slavery as 'abominable' but emphasized the UK’s financial constraints, suggesting instead a focus on debt relief and restructuring financial relationships with affected Caribbean nations. Some Caribbean leaders expressed disappointment, calling for a substantive dialogue on reparations, with a report estimating the UK should compensate 20 trillion euros for its historical injustices. The summit highlighted ongoing tensions regarding Britain’s colonial legacy, with both the King and Prime Minister urging a focus on future cooperation rather than past grievances.