King Charles will not apologise for slavery despite Andy Burnham's openness to historic gesture

The King is understood to have not altered his keynote speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this week in Antigua, despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham being "open" to the idea of Britain formally apologising for its role in the historic transatlantic slave trade.

Writing in the Guardian, the Prime Minister said he was open to a formal state apology for slavery, and offered structured talks with affected countries and campaign groups.

Mr Burnham rejected the idea that the British public should be held financially liable for a trade that was abolished almost 200 years ago.

A diplomatic tightrope has been walked by His Majesty this week during a Royal Visit to the Bahamas, and a State Visit to Guyana, where he has faced calls to personally apologise for the monarchy's past endorsement of slavery.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has told GB News that King Charles' message to Commonwealth leaders will address "the most shameful aspects of the past with unflinching honesty, sincere sorrow, and respect" but is understood to stop short of an official apology.

They said: "As we have indicated, The King will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past during this Visit."

"You may therefore expect him to address them in his speech with unflinching honesty, sincere sorrow, and respect for the wider discussions that will be taking place between relevant governments on this issue at CHOGM and beyond."

"He will be speaking at CHOGM in his capacity as Head of the Commonwealth."

"It would not be appropriate for him to address matters of particular policy relating to the UK Government's position."

"In keeping with the CHOGM agenda of 'Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth', His Majesty’s speech will therefore primarily focus on encouraging practical solutions and united efforts to address global challenges and opportunities relevant to all 56 members of the Commonwealth family today."

Royal officials have ensured His Majesty's engagements during his Caribbean visit do "not shy away from the darkest days of our past", and His Majesty has already spoken of the "enormous suffering" of enslaved Africans being transported across the Atlantic to work on plantations.

He also visited the site of mass executions in Georgetown, Guyana, following a failed uprising against British colonial powers in 1823.

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As a constitutional monarch, King Charles only acts on the advice of his government and, up until this weekend, Foreign Office sources insisted it remained longstanding policy that Britain did not apologise for its colonial history or pay financial reparations.

It is understood Buckingham Palace was informed of the Prime Minister's apparent new position "in a timely manner" and no changes were needed to his speech or programme at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this week.

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have criticised the Prime Minister's comments, pointing out Britain has already accounted for the past and needs to focus on the future.

Ms Badenoch also questioned the point of the Commonwealth as an institution, if each meeting is continually overshadowed by calls for apologies and reparations.

A senior Palace aide has described King Charles as "well practised on the diplomatic tightrope" and, despite protests and calls for an apology, His Majesty was determined to "bat for Britain" in the Realms and wider Commonwealth.

The aide told GB News: "His Majesty is well practised on the diplomatic tightrope, as you’ve seen again several times this year."

"He is up for challenging visits with complex issues and relationships in play."

"He sees it as his role to ‘bat for Britain’, the Realms and wider Commonwealth, promoting, protecting, and enhancing relationships at the highest level. One of the many benefits of a constitutional monarchy is the ability to transcend politics."

Meanwhile, the King's speech is expected to focus on practical cooperation, investment and shared challenges across the 56 member states.

A spokesperson for The King told GB News: "Institutions are under strain across the globe."

"The Commonwealth has scale and breadth but is also small enough for leaders to know each other and cooperate together."

"The King, in his role as Head of the Commonwealth, contributes ideas and encouragement on a wide range of issues, delivering practical results which help improve the lives of millions - as you heard the President of Guyana say publicly yesterday in regard to His Majesty’s longstanding environmental leadership in particular."

King Charles has packed multiple engagements a day into his Caribbean tour so far in sweltering temperatures, despite being in his late 70s and continuing cancer treatment.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has told GB News: "You’ve seen over the past days The King working as hard as ever, across time zones with packed schedules tackling the widest range of issues in support of UK, Realm and Commonwealth objectives."

"This is literally the job he was born to do - lifelong service, with global impact and a tireless commitment to duty."

"You will also hopefully have seen the great pride, pleasure and satisfaction it gives him, whether meeting Heads of State to discuss high-level matters of international diplomacy, or meeting the crowds who’ve turned out to meet him in the streets … a few unscripted Royal dance moves and all."

"That approach to his life and service never stops."