King Charles III is set to visit several Caribbean countries later this month, during which he is expected to address the legacy of colonialism and slavery. The royal tour, scheduled from October 27 to November 4, will begin with solo visits to the Bahamas and Guyana, followed by a joint trip with Queen Camilla to Antigua and Barbuda. In Antigua and Barbuda, Charles will deliver a speech at a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government.
The King, 77, who continues to receive treatment for cancer, will focus on former British colonies in the Caribbean that have since gained independence but remain members of the Commonwealth. He remains the ceremonial head of state in the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson emphasized that the visit would confront the "darkest days" of Britain’s past colonial rule, including the historical atrocity of slavery.
Charles has previously used the phrase “darkest days” in a 2021 speech in Barbados, marking the island’s transition to a republic and the removal of Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. On that occasion, he acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” as a stain on British history and expressed a commitment to recognizing that history while addressing enduring inequalities.
The palace stated that the King’s visit would reinforce his personal dedication to acknowledging historical wrongs and supporting ongoing efforts to rectify inequalities linked to that past. This comes amid ongoing debates over reparations for slavery within the Caribbean region. Last month, the UK Government rejected calls for payments following a petition by a Jamaican delegation. The petition requested that Charles refer to the Caribbean Court of Justice—based in London—three legal questions concerning the transatlantic slave trade’s legality.
The visit highlights the continuing complexities of the United Kingdom’s historical relationship with its former colonies and the ongoing dialogue about how to confront and address the impacts of colonialism and slavery.