King Charles III has acknowledged the enduring consequences of the transatlantic slave trade, describing it as a shameful chapter in history that continues to cast a shadow over Caribbean nations and other members of the Commonwealth.
The monarch said although present generations could not change the actions of their predecessors, they had a responsibility to learn from the past and work towards a better future.
“History is not ours to choose or to change. It is bequeathed to us in complex synthesis by forebears we can never know,” he said.
King Charles III made the remarks on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the opening of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
Addressing Commonwealth leaders, he reflected on the difficult aspects of the organisation’s shared history, noting that historical events continued to shape present-day societies.
“Our inheritance includes both their achievements and their failures, the good they did as well as the wrongs,” he said.
He added that history could be difficult to understand through the passage of time but remained an important source of lessons for contemporary society.
“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,” the King stated.
The monarch also expressed deep personal sorrow over the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on affected communities.
“The transatlantic trade and enslaved persons still cast a shadow over these islands and other members of our commonwealth,” he said.
“As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with enormous horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow.”
His comments come amid renewed calls from Caribbean leaders and reparations advocates for Britain to acknowledge its historical role in slavery and engage in discussions on reparatory justice.
The issue remains a significant part of the debate surrounding this year’s Commonwealth summit, with campaigners seeking recognition, accountability and measures to address the lasting socioeconomic consequences of slavery.
Although King Charles III expressed profound sorrow and acknowledged the historical injustices, he did not issue a formal apology or announce any reparations in his address.
He instead called for Commonwealth countries to learn from history and build modern partnerships capable of addressing present-day challenges.
The 28th CHOGM brings together leaders of Commonwealth member states to discuss shared priorities, cooperation and development.
