Opinion: King Charles' Regret for Slavery and Colonialism—Where's the Apology?

Keith Magee, a senior fellow and visiting professor in cultural justice at the University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, discusses the increasing demands for former colonizing and slave-trading nations, such as Britain, to acknowledge and make amends for the harm they caused to Black and brown communities across multiple regions during the reign of King Charles III.

Every time he sets foot in a British dominion, protectorate or former colony, the new monarch will have to acknowledge that harm, as he did last week in Kenya.

Keith Magee

Arron Dunworth

During his inaugural state visit to a Commonwealth nation as king, Charles conveyed his utmost sorrow and profound regret for the past transgressions. He acknowledged the abhorrent and indefensible acts of violence inflicted upon numerous Kenyans, specifically alluding to the excessively brutal suppression of the Mau Mau uprising by the British in the 1950s. Despite the extensive list of injustices, Britain did not offer an apology, leaving it as an unfinished matter.

This is a recurring pattern where the British monarchy is shifting its approach towards former colonies from a paternalistic stance to a more conciliatory one. While acknowledging past atrocities and expressing sadness, the monarchy stops short of directly accepting national guilt. In November 2021, as Barbados transitioned into a republic, Prince Charles acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery" but refrained from offering an apology. Addressing the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June 2022, the prince once again avoided an apology but recognized slavery as the "most painful period of our history" and expressed personal sorrow for the immense suffering endured.

However well-intentioned, these meticulously worded clichés fall short. In the House of Commons in April, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a Labour Member of Parliament, astutely emphasized that "sadness and profound remorse... do not adequately reflect the magnitude of one of the most heinous acts in human history."

On November 1, 2023, during their state visit to Kenya, King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Nairobi. They joined British and Kenyan military personnel in a gesture of remembrance and had the opportunity to meet Samwel Nthigai Mburia, a veteran believed to be 117 years old. The visit, which was arranged following an invitation from Kenyan President William Ruto, aims to celebrate the strong relationship between the two countries. This visit is particularly significant as Kenya prepares to commemorate its 60 years of independence. (Image credit: Pool - Victoria Jones/Getty Images)

King Charles' state visit strategy is transforming Britain's global reputation. Ribeiro-Addy, who also holds the position of Chair for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations, subsequently requested that Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issue a formal apology for the UK's involvement in slavery and colonialism, as well as pledge to seek reparatory justice. However, Sunak refused this proposal, stating that "trying to unravel our past" is not the appropriate approach for progress.

His message is evident: It is important for us to acknowledge and address the impactful consequences of slavery and colonialism on present-day global disparities in education, employment, housing, healthcare, and justice.

As the head of state, King Charles serves as a representative and servant of his government. Regardless of his personal preferences, he is obligated to adhere to the official script. This became even more evident recently when the lifelong environmentalist monarch had to publicly announce the government's proposed legislation, which included the implementation of an annual system for awarding licenses for North Sea oil and gas.

The government's fear of apologizing for Britain's brutal past, due to potential legal consequences and demands for reparations, prevents the king from expressing remorse on behalf of the nation. However, it is important to acknowledge that King Charles is not completely restricted by domestic politics. He possesses significant influence both domestically and internationally, and he seems to be strategizing how to utilize it while staying within established limits. Recent statements from the king indicate that he may not fully share his current Prime Minister's reluctance to confront the darker aspects of Britain's history, which overshadow its moments of glory.

In this December 31, 2023 file photo, Britain's King Charles III can be seen delivering his speech at the State Banquet held at the State House in Nairobi. The banquet was hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto. (Photo credit: Luis Tato / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUIS TATO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Luis Tato/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

King Charles acknowledges Kenyas colonial-era suffering but stops short of apologizing

The recent mentions of slavery by the monarch, including in his speech in Rwanda, have primarily emphasized his desire to gain a deeper understanding of its lasting effects and the significance of active listening. Such aspirations are commendable.

Supported by his unquestionable ability to bring people together, King Charles has the potential to make a significant impact on the ongoing discussions surrounding reparatory justice. However, it is crucial for him to promptly communicate the starting point and the parties involved in this listening process. Furthermore, clarifying how the gathered insights will contribute to tangible improvements is essential.

King Charles fulfills more than just the roles of the British head of state and the head of the Commonwealth. He also serves as the head of the royal family, an institution whose vast wealth stems significantly from the gains made through slavery and colonization. As the leader of the royal family, King Charles has the opportunity to set an example to the world by actively listening and learning.

He has taken a step in the right direction by silently endorsing an independent research project that investigates the connections, some of which are already evident, between the British monarchy and the slave trade. It would be significant for Charles to publicly apologize, on behalf of his entire family, for the fact that his ancestors were involved in, supportive of, and gained profit from the trade of human beings from Africa to the colonies. The Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, set an example by doing so in July. Every day that goes by without a similar statement from King Charles is one day too many.

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A formal apology carries significant impact, conveying more than just a willingness to accept accountability for committed crimes. It acknowledges the abominable nature of slavery, which intentionally dehumanized the enslaved by treating them as mere possessions.

Furthermore, it affirms that individuals who suffered from slavery and their descendants are fully deserving of this apology, recognizing their humanity. This apology undermines the racist ideology that has long been used to unjustly divide people based solely on the color of their skin.

After offering an apology, it is crucial to follow up with prompt reparatory measures, marking the initial phase of the healing process. The British monarch possesses autonomous financial resources to effectively contribute to vital reparatory justice initiatives. In doing so, it would be prudent to draw inspiration from CARICOM, specifically their comprehensive 10-Point Action Plan for Reparatory Justice. Additionally, it is imperative for the monarch to engage humbly with the descendants of those who were enslaved in the UK and its former colonies, starting from the grassroots level, in order to comprehend their requirements and aspirations towards obliterating the persisting racial disparities.

Now in his second year as king, Charles possesses a remarkable chance to demonstrate true leadership in the realm of reparatory justice. I hope he possesses the necessary bravery to seize this opportunity. Personally, I believe that unraveling the complexities of history to reveal the truth, offering restitution, and confronting racial discrimination is, unequivocally, the sole path towards progress.