- Published
King Charles is to speak with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow" on the lasting pain of the transatlantic slave trade, during the final leg of his Caribbean tour in Antigua, Buckingham Palace has said.
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Palace → publish → Antigua
The King will address Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday in a speech which will touch on the issue.
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which → address → issue
It comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was "open" to the possibility of the UK formally apologising for its role in slavery - a change in the government's stance.
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UK → come → stance
It is understood that the Palace had been told in advance of Burnham's comments in an opinion piece on Friday night, and that the King has not made any changes to his speech in light of the comments.
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King → understand → comments
The British government has never formally apologised for slavery or offered to pay reparations.
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government → apologise → reparations
Burnham has previously stuck with the policy of his predecessors, and stopped short of offering any consideration of reparation payments.
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Burnham → stick → payments
The King will make his speech on Tuesday at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
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King → make → Meeting
He "will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past during this visit," a Palace spokesperson said.
"
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spokesperson → shy → visit
You may therefore expect him to address them in his speech with unflinching honesty, sincere sorrow, and respect for the wider discussions that will be taking place between relevant governments on this issue at CHOGM and beyond."
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that → expect → CHOGM
When asked about the King's reaction to the prime minister's comments, the spokesperson said it would "not be appropriate" for the King to address matters of policy relating to "the UK Government's position".
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King → ask → position
The Caribbean tour has again thrust King Charles into the difficult debates over the UK's colonial legacy in the region.
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tour → thrust → region
On his first stop in the Bahamas, the King delivered a speech where he spoke of the "suffering of the past".
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he → deliver → past
In Guyana, he visited the site of a Slave Rebellion where hundreds of enslaved people were killed.
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hundreds → visit → people
Buckingham Palace said it was a moment for the King to learn more about the history of slavery and resistance.
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King → say → slavery
His engagements have also covered the environment, opportunities for young people and trade relationships with the UK.
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engagements → cover → UK
Royal sources have stressed that the decisions around making an apology are a matter for government, not the Palace.
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decisions → stress → government
"His Majesty is well practised on the diplomatic tightrope," a Royal aide said.
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aide → practise → tightrope
"He is up for challenging visits with complex issues and relationships in play.
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He → challenge → play
He sees it as his role to 'bat for Britain', the Realms and wider Commonwealth."
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He → see → Britain
In a piece for the Guardian published on Friday night, Burnham described the transatlantic slave trade as a "brutal and barbaric violation", external, and that Britain "must face up to the past".
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Britain → publish → past
His pledge to strengthen the work of the Commonwealth as an organisation will be welcomed by King Charles, who views the collection of 56 countries as a powerful vehicle for change.
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who → strengthen → change
"Institutions are under strain across the globe," said a Palace spokesperson.
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spokesperson → say → globe
"The Commonwealth has scale and breadth, but is also small enough for leaders to know each other and co-operate together."
The King, they said, "contributes ideas and encouragement on a wide range of issues, delivering practical results which help improve the lives of millions".
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which → have → millions
Queen Camilla is with the King in Antigua, and they will attend a church service on Sunday morning ahead of joining celebrations to mark Independence Day on the island.
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they → attend → island
It has been a difficult few months for the King, with developments surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and the publication of a book by his former brother-in-law, Earl Spencer.
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It → surround → law
In addition, his son, Prince Harry, made a surprise move back to the UK with his wife Meghan and their two children, in August.
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son → make → August
Asked if the King was confident that his approach to family matters has been the right one in terms of public attitudes towards the institution, the response was concise: "Yes.
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response → ask → institution
That is why he takes the actions he does - and has done", a senior aide told the BBC.
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aide → take → BBC
On the serious allegations that have emerged about Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, the Palace did not want to get involved publicly: "We wouldn't comment on private family matters."
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We → emerge → matters
The King is also still being treated for cancer.
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King → treat → cancer
He was diagnosed in early 2024 and the Palace says he remains on a "positive trajectory."
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he → diagnose → trajectory
In hot and humid conditions, he will soon celebrate his 78th birthday and will have carried out about 36 engagements by the end of this nine-day tour of the Caribbean.
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he → celebrate → Caribbean
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