King Charles to express 'sorrow' over slavery as UK weighs apology to former colonies

Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade will be in focus at a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Antigua and Barbuda, where King Charles III is expected to acknowledge the country's painful past while Prime Minister Andy Burnham discusses the possibility of a formal apology.The monarch will speak of the "shameful aspects" of British history with "unflinching honesty" and express "sincere sorrow" over the country's involvement in slavery when he opens the summit on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace has said.However, Charles is not expected to issue a formal apology. The palace said the king, who is politically neutral, could not announce a change in government policy and that "it would not be appropriate" for him to do so.Burnham, meanwhile, is using the summit to discuss Britain's historical role in slavery with leaders of Commonwealth nations. The Labour prime minister, who took office in July, said he was open to a formal apology but ruled out financial reparations demanded by some Caribbean countries.Britain's involvement in the slave trade remains a major source of tension with its former colonies. Over four centuries, an estimated 10 million to 15 million Africans were forcibly taken to the Americas. The British royal family also benefited from the trade.Burnham open to apologyBurnham discussed the issue with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Monday, during one of several bilateral meetings he is expected to hold at the summit.The two leaders discussed Britain's proposal for a structured dialogue with communities affected by the transatlantic slave trade and the next steps in the process, Downing Street said.In an article published in The Guardian on Saturday, Burnham said he would have "difficult conversations" to protect the future of the Commonwealth."Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to them," he wrote.However, he said reparations were "not the right answer", arguing that people living in Britain today should not be "held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous".Instead, the UK is pursuing a debt restructuring initiative for the poorest Commonwealth nations. The plan, led by former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, could change the interest rates countries pay on their loans.Britain has also pledged £40 million over three years for infrastructure projects in the Caribbean.Slavery debate follows king's Caribbean visitThe issue has remained central to Charles's nine-day visit to three Caribbean countries. When he arrived in The Bahamas last week, small groups of protesters held placards demanding, "Pay what you owe us."During the visit, the king acknowledged "the great suffering of the past".Britain has never formally apologised for its role in slavery or agreed to pay reparations. However, the BBC reported on Tuesday that the UK was likely to issue an apology during its G20 presidency next year.Britain made huge profits from colonialism and slavery over several centuries, although it also maintains that it played a leading role in ending the practice.The UK Parliament passed legislation in 1833 to abolish slavery across most of the British Empire.The issue has also drawn opposition from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who has argued against an apology, saying it could strengthen demands for financial compensation from countries affected by slavery.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.