King Charles is expected to acknowledge Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade during his upcoming visit to the Caribbean, but will not issue a formal apology for the country’s involvement, Buckingham Palace has said.

Reuters reported that Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit Guyana and The Bahamas before travelling to Antigua and Barbuda, where the King will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The visit comes amid renewed calls from Caribbean and African countries for Britain and other former colonial powers to address the legacy of slavery, including demands for reparations. The British government has ruled out reparations, while Buckingham Palace said questions of reparations and formal apologies are matters for governments.

A palace spokesperson said the visit would not shy away from what Charles has described as “the darkest days of our past,” while focusing primarily on the present and future of the countries he visits.

 

Reuters reported that at least 12.5 million Africans were abducted and sold into slavery by European merchants between the 15th and 19th centuries. Britain transported an estimated 3.2 million enslaved Africans, making it the second-largest European participant in the trade after Portugal.

Charles has previously expressed sorrow over slavery and supported research into the British monarchy’s historical links to the trade.

The palace said the King remains committed to acknowledging historical wrongs and addressing inequalities that continue to affect communities today.