King Charles acknowledges ‘painful’ history amid calls for slavery reparations at Commonwealth summit

Britain’s King Charles III has told world leaders that “none of us can change the past” but that nations can commit to finding “creative ways to right inequalities that endure,” as calls grow for reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade.

The 75-year-old monarch was speaking to leaders and dignitaries from the 56 Commonwealth nations at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, which is this year being held on the Pacific island nation of Samoa.

He used his first address to the summit since becoming head of the organization to call for unity, asking leaders to “find the right ways, and the right language” to address contemporary problems rooted in the past.

Our cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from. I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” Charles said. “It is vital therefore that we understand our history, to guide us to make the right choices in the future.”

A row over reparations has gained momentum in recent days after renewed calls from some members for Britain to pay compensation for its historical role in slavery. Ahead of the gathering, the BBC reported that diplomats were preparing text for the summit’s official communique that would commit to a “meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation” on the issue.

Downing Street has insisted that the topic is not on the agenda. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is attending the summit, told the BBC on Thursday that the trade was “abhorrent,” but “that we should be forward looking” and focus on “today’s challenges” such as resilience in the face of the climate crisis and increasing trade between Commonwealth countries.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves ruled out any payments in the future.

“We’re not going to be paying out the reparations that some countries are speaking about,” she told the outlet earlier Thursday. “I understand why they make those demands but that’s not something that this government is doing.”

The King, who did not directly refer to slavery during his address, emphasized that the Commonwealth represents “a third of humanity” and urged leaders to “discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect.”