King Acknowledges ‘Suffering of the Past’ as Caribbean Tour Begins
The King opened his first Caribbean tour as monarch in the Bahamas by acknowledging the “great suffering of the past” amid calls for slavery reparations, saying it was “only right” to recognise historic injustices. In line with government policy, he will not apologise or offer reparations. The nine-day tour ends at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where leaders will discuss slavery’s legacy.
The King’s words go as far as ministers permit and no further, so pressure on the government’s position will build ahead of the summit. He met Governor General Dame Cynthia A. Pratt and Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis. He then spoke at a youth rally in Clifford Park, where he had attended the Bahamas’ independence celebrations as Prince of Wales in 1973. About a dozen protesters outside chanted “pay us what you owe us”. One of them, Sharon Purcer-Cooper, warned: “if they do not do it then we will become a republic.” Buckingham Palace had said beforehand that the King would not shy away from the “colonial legacy”.