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KING Charles III will confront “shameful aspects” of United Kingdom history with “unflinching honesty” when he addresses Commonwealth leaders next week, said Buckingham Palace on Saturday.
The comments follow renewed scrutiny of Britain’s role in historical transatlantic slavery and come after Prime Minister Andy Burnham revealed he was open to the UK formally apologising for its role in the trade while ruling out paying the financial reparations demanded by some Caribbean countries.
The issues have resurfaced as Charles tours the Caribbean before delivering a speech tomorrow at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting there, which Burnham is also set to attend.
“The king will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past during this visit,” said a palace spokesperson.
“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.”
The palace noted the monarch, who arrived in Antigua and Barbuda last Friday, would be speaking in his role as head of the 56-member Commonwealth, composed mainly of former British colonies.
“It would not be appropriate for him to address matters of particular policy relating to the UK government’s position,” said the spokesperson.
They added that the king would “primarily focus on encouraging practical solutions and united efforts to address global challenges and opportunities”.
Under pressure from Commonwealth countries over Britain’s pivotal part in transatlantic slavery, Burnham penned a newspaper op-ed published on Saturday that argued: “We need to face up to the past.”
Writing in The Guardian, he pledged to have “difficult conversations” to safeguard the Commonwealth’s future, offering a “structured dialogue with those affected”.