King Charles begins Caribbean tour as calls for a slavery apology and reparations grow

Summary

King Charles began a nine-day Caribbean tour on Tuesday, visiting the Bahamas and Guyana before travelling to Antigua and Barbuda, and attending the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) with Queen Camilla. The trip comes amid growing calls for slavery reparations and an apology. Campaigners warn the tour could accelerate moves to remove him as head of state in several countries unless he does more to confront the monarchy's historic links to the slave trade, and they want a full apology for slavery. A spokesman says the king will not apologise for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade. In the Bahamas he acknowledged ‘the great suffering of the past’, according to France 24, which reports that the 77-year-old monarch is undergoing cancer treatment and that the tour will also highlight climate threats.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   27 Oct 2026, 06:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that campaigners warn the king's nine-day Caribbean tour could hasten moves to remove him as head of state unless he confronts the monarchy's links to slavery, and that they want a full apology for slavery.

2. Hindustan Times

   27 Oct 2026, 07:02 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that King Charles is heading to the Caribbean as calls for slavery reparations grow.

3. The Straits Times

   27 Oct 2026, 07:05 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that a spokesman says the king will not apologise for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade, as he heads to the Caribbean amid growing calls for slavery reparations.

4. Al Jazeera

   27 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that King Charles launched his nine-day Caribbean tour amid questions about the monarchy and growing demands for slavery reparations.

5. France 24

   27 Oct 2026, 23:14 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that King Charles began the Caribbean tour in the Bahamas on Tuesday, acknowledging ‘the great suffering of the past’ amid calls for a slavery apology, and that the 77-year-old monarch, who is undergoing cancer treatment, will also attend a Commonwealth summit with Queen Camilla.