King Charles backed Sir Keir Starmer in effectively ruling out reparations over slavery today, saying: ‘None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.’
The monarch – and new head of the Commonwealth – told its meeting of leaders in Samoa that it was important to understand and acknowledge ‘the most painful aspects of our past’.
But he also made clear that it was crucial to look to the future and right ongoing inequalities through education, skills training, employment, health and addressing climate change.
His words appear to be an endorsement of the British Prime Minister‘s rejection of demands by some Commonwealth leaders, particularly from the Caribbean, to discuss plans to examine reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade, which could leave the UK owing billions of pounds.
He has said he wants to focus on current issues, such as the environment, instead.
King Charles III speaks during the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on October 25, 2024 in Apia, Samoa
The monarch – and new head of the Commonwealth – told its meeting of leaders in Samoa that it was important to understand and acknowledge ‘the most painful aspects of our past’
King Charles and CHOGM Secretary General Patricia Scotland talk during the opening ceremony
In his first speech to the biannual congregation of leaders as the new leader of the ‘family of nations’ following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Charles said: ‘Since this is the first occasion on which I find myself attending this gathering of our ‘Family of Nations,’ as Head of the Commonwealth, it gives my wife and myself enormous pleasure and pride to be with you for this twenty seventh Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
‘Together, we represent a third of humanity, with all the splendidly diverse complexity that this entails. And yet we know and understand each other, such that we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect.
‘That said, our cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from. I understand, from listening to people across the Commonwealth, how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.’
He continued: It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history –to guide us to make the right choices in the future. Where inequalities exist, for example, in access to opportunity; to education; to skills training; to employment; to health; and to a planet in whose climate our human race can both survive and thrive, we must find the right ways, and the right language, to address them.
‘As we look around the world and consider its many deeply concerning challenges, let us choose within our Commonwealth family the language of community and respect, and reject the language of division.
‘None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure. ‘
The King emphasised that he sees one way of righting the wrongs of the past by introducing new initiatives such as the Commonwealth Fellowship Programme, which will offer educational opportunity to students from small island states in areas such as nursing, teaching, engineering and climate action.
As a constitutional monarch it is not Charles’ role to express an opinion on the issue of reparations, and he would be guided by the government as to whether an apology should be forthcoming.
He has also signalled his support for official research into the British monarchy’s historical links with transatlantic slavery
The King emphasised that he sees one way of righting the wrongs of the past by introducing new initiatives such as the Commonwealth Fellowship Programme
harles and Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, left, talk during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Apia, Samoa
But he has previously gone further than his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, on the subject.
In a speech during a trip to Kenya last year, his first state visit to a Commonwealth country since becoming King, he expressed ‘the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret’ over ‘the wrongdoings of the past’.
He has also signalled his support for official research into the British monarchy’s historical links with transatlantic slavery.
However Buckingham Palace will also have known there was a need to acknowledge the ‘elephant in the room’ given his audience, without going down the road of reparations directly.
A source told the Mail that the overall theme of his speech was one designed to capture the ‘statesmanlike’ significance of the moment, his debut speech as Head of the Commonwealth, in all its ‘scale and diversity’.
They said the monarch was keen to articulate its ‘purpose’ in the world of today and ‘outline its very many strengths and ways of working together to address some of the most pressing issues of our age’.
They said the king was also personally keen to focus on issues such as youth opportunity and climate change, where he felt the Commonwealth could have real impact.
The King also paid tribute to his late mother, saying: ‘The Commonwealth mattered a great deal to my dear mother, The late Queen. Her commitment to you all, as that of my grandfather, King George VI, before her, is one which has helped to shape my own life for as long as I can remember.
The king is personally keen to focus on issues such as youth opportunity and climate change, where he feels the Commonwealth could have real impact
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting
‘Since my first visit to Malta, aged just five in 1954, I have travelled to almost every corner of the Commonwealth. I have met remarkable people in every conceivable walk of life, and learned a great deal from so many proud cultures and traditions.
‘All of this has given me an unshakeable faith in the special nature of our Commonwealth and the extraordinary value it holds. This is a family – or aiga as our Samoan hosts would say – of countries, of organizations and of people. All nations are equal in this unique and voluntary association.’
And he emphasised the organisation’s ability to ‘understand and tackle contemporary and emerging challenges – rooted in our shared belief in the rule of law and an international order where every nation has a voice’.
He added: ‘At a time of heightened global tensions, of horrifying conflict and challenges of the greatest magnitude, it seems to me that these connections between us are more precious than ever. Together we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time.’
He continued: ‘Few of our forebears could have imagined the Commonwealth of today. Our free association of proudly independent nations, alive with opportunity, stands in proud defiance of the discrimination of the past. We have not reached this point by accident; shared vision and collective courage have been our lodestar. As we set a course for the century ahead, we can renew our courage with our faith in one another.
‘For my part, I can assure you today that for however many years God grants me, I will join you and the people of the Commonwealth on every step of this journey. Let us learn from the lessons of the past. Let us be proud of who we are today. ‘
The King also emphasised the urgent need for action on climate change, something that is disproportionately affecting many Commonwealth nations, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific.
He said: ‘We are well past believing it is a problem for the future, since it is already, already undermining the development gains we have long fought for. This year alone, we have seen terrifying storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa and catastrophic wildfires in Canada. Lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth.
In her address, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata’afa (left) hailed the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘steady leadership’ and her ‘unifying role’
The King also emphasised the urgent need for action on climate change, something that is disproportionately affecting many Commonwealth nations, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific
The King’s speech got a polite, but not rousing, round of applause.
‘I can only offer every encouragement for action, with unequivocal determination, to arrest rising temperatures by cutting emissions, building resilience as far as possible to both the current and forecast impacts of climate change, and conserving and restoring Nature both on land and in the sea. If we do not, then inequalities across the Commonwealth, and beyond, will only be exacerbated with the potential to fuel division and conflict. ‘
His speech got a polite, but not rousing, round of applause.
Afterwards, dressed in a camel-coloured suit and owl-pattered tie, the King listened to musical performance, tapping his fingers as he did.
During his 13 minute speech three squawking birds made a racket inside the closed roof of the building
Leaders from all 56 Commonwealth countries took their seats inside the Tuanaimato Sports Complex.
The King was the last into the building and took his seat on the dias next between Baroness Scotland and PM of Samoa, while the Queen sat in the front row of the audience.
The audience stood for the couple as they walked in.
Charles was given a fan and a bottle of water and table – but did not use them.
In her address, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata’afa hailed the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘steady leadership’ and her ‘unifying role’.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland said the late Queen served the Commonwealth with ‘duty and distinction’.
And said: ‘His Majesty has been been in our thoughts and prayers and so happy you are with us today.’
On the Dias also was the 18ct gold and ruby Commonwealth Mace which was presented to CHOGM by the late Queen say on the Dias before the readers.
Fifty seven flags including all 56 member nations and the CHOGM flag lined up behind the leaders at the opening ceremony.
