King and Burnham face reparations protests in Antigua as Burnham signals possible slavery apology

Summary

King Charles has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda on his Caribbean tour, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is "open" to calls for Britain to make a formal apology for its role in the slave trade, Sky News reports. ABC News reports that Burnham says his government will consider apologising for the first time for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, as it seeks to strengthen relations with nations in Africa and the Caribbean. The Guardian reports that activists see the royal and prime ministerial visit as an opportunity to demand that the UK confront its role in transatlantic enslavement. Protest messages are expected on billboards, placards and T-shirts as the King and Burnham travel through St John's to the Commonwealth leaders' summit next week, and a candlelight vigil is planned for the thousands of Africans trafficked to Antigua and Barbuda during the slave trade.

Timeline

1. Sky News

   31 Oct 2026, 03:11 UTCSource ↗

   Sky News reports that Andy Burnham has said he is "open" to calls for Britain to make a formal apology for its role in the slave trade, as the King continues his Caribbean tour and arrives in Antigua and Barbuda.

2. The Guardian

   31 Oct 2026, 06:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that activists see the King and Burnham's visit to Antigua as an opportunity to demand that the UK confront its role in transatlantic enslavement, with protests expected ahead of the Commonwealth leaders' summit next week.

3. ABC News

   31 Oct 2026, 10:24 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says his government will consider apologising for the first time for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.