The King is to begin a tour of the Caribbean as calls mount for him to apologise for Britain’s role in slavery. Charles will arrive in Antigua for a nine-day visit to the region after the Commonwealth’s secretary general Shirley Botchwey said last week it “wouldn’t hurt” when asked during an interview if the King should apologise. He will preside over the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua, where he will be joined by the Queen, and he will also make a solo state visit to Guyana. The issue of reparations – financial compensation or other forms of redress from slave trading nations – is likely to be another topic he is asked to address. The King follows the guidance of his ministers and it is understood the Government has not advised him to offer an apology or reparations, in keeping with established policy. Do you think that slavery apology means anything if still blacks are oppressed ?
