Britain’s King Charles III recognised “painful aspects” of his country’s past but shied away from direct calls for reparations to colonies at a summit of Commonwealth leaders.
The British king realised that “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resound,” he told leaders in Apia. However, Charles avoided mentioning the financial reparations called for by some leaders at the event and instead urged them to find the “right language” and understanding of history “to guide us to make the right decisions for the future where inequality exists.”
The King was addressing leaders from 56 countries at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Pacific nation of Samoa. It was the first time he had attended the summit since coming to the throne. In his speech, the King also touched on the climate crisis, development issues and paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth.
Some leaders attending the summit had hoped that Charles might use his speech as an opportunity to apologise for Britain’s colonial past and that this year’s summit would discuss the topic of compensatory justice. The British monarch seemed to understand the leaders’ concerns but did not directly address the issue.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Samoa late in the evening of October 23. Speaking to reporters en route, he said he wanted to discuss current issues, especially climate change, rather than issues of the past with Commonwealth leaders. He also noted:
“What they are most interested in is, can we help them working with, for example, international financial institutions on the sorts of packages they need right now in relation to the challenges they’re facing.”
Britain’s King Charles III also arrived in Samoa for a four-day visit on October 23 and is due to officially open the summit. During a visit to Kenya last year, the king expressed “the greatest sorrow and regret” for the “atrocities” of the colonial era, but did not apologise, which would have required the agreement of ministers.
