Charles III condemns slavery at the Commonwealth summit: “This shameful chapter of history fills my heart with horror and my soul with the deepest sadness”

King Charles III expressed his “horror” at slavery on Tuesday, describing it as a “monstrous injustice” in his opening address at the Commonwealth leaders’ summit in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. The British monarch said the transatlantic slave trade continues to cast its shadow over Caribbean states and pledged to help “right the wrongs of the past” through forward-looking action.

The remarks came as several Commonwealth leaders call on the United Kingdom to issue an official apology and provide reparations for its historic role in the slave trade. Charles III stressed, however, that he cannot make political decisions, as the monarch has a politically neutral constitutional role.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is holding talks with the organization’s leaders on a “structured dialogue” about the past. He supports an apology but rejects direct financial reparations and instead proposes restructuring the debts of poorer Commonwealth states. Between 10 and 15 million Africans were transported to the Americas and enslaved over approximately 400 years. London has also announced £40 million in funding for infrastructure projects in the Caribbean.