Caribbean Leaders Urge King Charles III to Support Reparations
Hilary Beckles and Caribbean leaders appealed to King Charles III to support slavery reparations talks ahead of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
Professor Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Reparations Commission, has appealed to King Charles III to support slavery reparations talks at the upcoming Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Antigua and Barbuda. Beckles urged the monarch to acknowledge that his family's wealth was enriched by chattel slavery, framing the request as a personal appeal to the King as a parent and grandparent.
This push for reparatory justice coincides with calls from Caribbean leaders for a formal apology during the King's planned visits to Guyana and the Bahamas. Eric Phillips, head of Guyana’s reparations committee, joined these calls, suggesting the King apologize and call for reparations. Commonwealth secretary-general Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey noted that a formal apology "wouldn't hurt" and stated that the time has come for serious conversations on the matter.
Despite these appeals, diplomatic friction remains. Reports indicate a lack of unanimous agreement in the draft 2026 Chogm communique regarding a mandate for foreign ministers to advance discussions on historical harms. In response to this deadlock, reparations campaigners plan to launch a Global Reparations Caravan on November 3, using advocacy and demonstrations to pressure the Commonwealth for action.
