King Charles to speak about slavery with 'unflinching honesty' for first time
Today, the King will speak about slavery with “unflinching honesty” and “sincere sorrow” in his opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). His address has been thrown to the front of the agenda after Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered Commonwealth nations the opportunity to discuss a slavery apology from Britain.
TL;DR
- King Charles will address the Commonwealth on slavery with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow" at the CHOGM.
- The King's role is to inspire and convene, not make policy; apologies are a government issue.
- Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated Britain is open to a formal apology and a structured dialogue on slavery's legacy.
- Caribbean nations, including Barbados and St Lucia, are actively calling for formal apologies and reparations.
- The King's speech will also focus on global challenges such as nature restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable finance.
- The CHOGM motto for 2026 emphasizes "Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth."