# King Charles on slave trade: 'Shameful' history fills heart with horror > King Charles says transatlantic slave trade 'fills my heart with horror' but insists 'we cannot change the past' in Commonwealth speech. - Title: King Charles on slave trade: 'Shameful' history fills heart… - Summary: King Charles says transatlantic slave trade 'fills my heart with horror' but insists 'we cannot change the past' in Commonwealth speech. King Charles… - Keywords: king charles, commonwealth, transatlantic slave trade, reparations, antigua, commonwealth heads of government meeting, slavery, historical apology, royals, celebrity, Dailymail - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16262367/King-Charles-meeting-Commonwealth-leaders-Antigua-slavery-reparations-row.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-11-03T14:39:43+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: king charles, commonwealth, transatlantic slave trade, reparations, antigua, commonwealth heads of government meeting, slavery, historical apology, royals, celebrity ## King Charles speech in Antigua King Charles delivered a keynote Commonwealth speech in Antigua and Barbuda today. ## King avoids British apology The King pointedly avoided any suggestion of a British apology over slavery in his Commonwealth speech. ## King acknowledges slave trade impact Charles acknowledged the transatlantic slave trade 'still casts a shadow' and fills his heart with horror. > the transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands ## King's historical perspective The King stated history is not ours to choose or change but bequeathed to us by forebears. > history is not ours to choose or to change ## King's personal sorrow Charles said the shameful chapter of history fills his heart with horror and soul with profound sorrow. > that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow ## King's historical lessons The King referenced Britain's role in ending the global slave trade as a lesson in overcoming injustice. > the Royal Navy played such a leading role ## King's commitment to action Charles committed to finding ways to address past wrongs through modern partnership and action. > finding ways for us to work in modern partnership to address the wrongs of the past with action for the future ## King's climate and trade focus The speech also focused on climate change, international trade and youth opportunity. > The 15-minute speech also focused on climate change, international trade and youth opportunity ## King's closing message Charles urged Commonwealth leaders to recommit to a future where young people can look forward with confidence. > 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 ## King's reception with leaders The King hosted Prime Minister Andy Burnham at a reception for new Commonwealth Heads of Government. > The King hosted the Prime Minister at a reception for new Commonwealth Heads of Government at Weatherills Hotel in Antigua and Barbuda ## Burnham's reaction Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the King's CHOGM speech 'perfect' after the address. > Mr Burnham told the King his CHOGM speech was perfect afterwards ## Protesters demand reparations Activists held signs calling for slavery reparations as the meeting took place in Antigua. > Crimes against humanity could never be legal. Apologise now ## King's environmental work The King and Queen participated in beach clean-ups and environmental projects in Antigua. > The King was shocked that 71 bags of rubbish were collected from the beach in just two hours ## Queen's environmental message Queen Camilla thanked volunteers for their marine protection efforts and environmental projects. > Thank goodness for all of you ## King's historical awareness Charles expressed his commitment to understanding history through listening and learning. > The more I have furthered my own understanding of the issues, through listening, learning and looking ## King's future focus Charles emphasized the Commonwealth's role in addressing contemporary challenges through modern partnership. > The Commonwealth of today is not merely a product of the past, it is a response to the world of today ## Key takeaway King Charles acknowledged the transatlantic slave trade 'fills my heart with horror' but stated 'we cannot change the past' during his Commonwealth speech in Antigua.