King Charles says slave trade 'fills my heart with horror' but stops short of apology

King Charles says slave trade 'fills my heart with horror' but stops short of apology In his opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua, the King stopped short of an apology but said slavery "fills my heart with horror" The King has reminded the world of Britain’s role in ending the transatlantic slave trade, saying “evil need not have the last word”. In Antigua, on the penultimate day of his nine day tour of the Caribbean, which has been dominated by calls for apologies for slavery and demands for reparations from affected nations, Charles declared “history is not ours to choose or to change” and suggested the world “can learn from the past”. In his opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) Charles reiterated his previous statements on the appalling atrocities, saying it was “a shameful chapter of history” that “fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow” - but made special mention of the Royal Navy in bringing about an end to the slave trade. But he defied campaigners and some Caribbean leaders’ calls for him to personally apologise for Britain’s and the monarchy’s historic role, insisting that there were positive aspects of the past which “inspires us”. He said: None of us, of course, would be here today were it not for our history, which has shaped us in myriad ways. History is not ours to choose or to change. “It is bequeathed to us in complex synthesis by forebears we can never know. Our inheritance includes both their achievements and their failures – the good they did as well as the wrongs.” Charles, 77, added: “History can be hard to compass, viewed as it is through the prism of time, which can be both clarifying and distorting, and yet its consequences resonate with contemporary force. “Our history inspires us, can appall us, yet it can always teach us.We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past. The transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands and other Members of our Commonwealth.” The King’s tour of the region, visiting The Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda over the last eight days, has been beset with controversy against the issue of slavery and reparations. Within two hours of landing in The Bahamas last Tuesday, Charles spoke at a youth rally where he said “it is only right that we acknowledge the great sufferings of the past in these islands and beyond”. Despite receiving warm welcomes across all three countries, those nations' prime ministers have spoken publicly on either becoming republics or demanding conversations open for repatriations. Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Friday said he was “open” to Britain apologising and today will offer £40million to Caribbean projects amid the growing row. The money will go towards green energy schemes in the West Indies. He will also set out plans to help poorer Commonwealth members grappling with higher debt costs. Buckingham Palace sources suggested the King remained constrained by his constitutional role as monarch, forbidding him from deviating from official government policy. Charles added: “As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow. “And yet history also teaches us that evil need not have the last word; that character and courage can combine to overcome the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people, in which the Royal Navy played such a leading role.” Charles also praised his wife who joined him on Friday for the last leg of the tour. Describing how the Commonwealth “has mattered greatly to me for my whole life” – he spoke of his pride in Camilla being equally involved. He added: “I can only say how glad I am that The Queen shares my enthusiasm for our Commonwealth family and all that it represents, not least through The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition.” Charles commended the benefits of the Commonwealth “in a desperately troubled world” and said partnership and collaboration between nations, offering an “unparalleled opportunity to work together”, which “allows us to draw on the collective ingenuity of a third of humanity to address the challenges confronting us all”. Charles spoke of furthering his understanding on the issues of slavery, climate change and economic conditions across the Commonwealth, in order to try and help nations seeking prosperity. He said “For, as any sailor navigating the seas knows, we cannot command the winds, least of all where the winds of yesterday have delivered us – but we can choose how we set our sails. “The Commonwealth of today is not merely a product of the past – it is a response to the world of today. Its vocation is more compelling than ever.” On his own personal crusade he declared: “The more I have furthered my own understanding of the issues, through listening, learning and looking, the more committed I have become to finding ways for us to work in modern partnership to address the wrongs of the past with action for the future. “Through improving access to education, investing in jobs and opportunities, encouraging intra-Commonwealth trade, and inspiring vital climate resilience measures across the world, I have always felt that there is so much that can be done to help lift up those who struggle against hardship and disadvantage. I have always tried to play my part in doing just that.” The King also urged leaders from the 56 nations to come together for the benefit “across our societies and our economies, through our businesses, our institutions and our communities”. As well as opening discussions on international trade, Charles made special mention for those gathered to create better opportunities for the next generation, adding: “Above all, Ladies and Gentlemen, I trust that each of you will recommit yourselves to a Commonwealth in which our young people can look to the future with greater confidence and purpose. “So that from this remarkable family of nations, our people can draw inspiration and hope – just as I, myself, have always done.”