‘Not my king’: King Charles heckled by indigenous senator in Australia
NBCOct 23
UK: Charles III Discusses "Painful Past" at Commonwealth Meeting
Above: Britain's King Charles III delivers a speech during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, on October 25, 2024. Image copyright: Manaui Faulalo/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
British monarch King Charles III claimed on Friday that "the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” as he called for issues to be discussed "with openness and respect” at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
As African and Caribbean nations reportedly seek reparations for the UK's historic transatlantic slave trade, the British monarch emphasized the need to "understand our history — to guide us to make the right choices in the future." He added: "none of us can change the past."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Britain's role in slavery stands as a stark ledger of suffering, and the monarchy's deep involvement represents an unprecedented scale of state-sanctioned human trafficking. This demands more than an expression of regret. Modern justice requires formal acknowledgment and compensation for this "appalling atrocity that forever stains our history."
Pro-establishment narrative
King Charles has responded deftly to demands for slavery reparations, emphasizing historical acknowledgment without the divisive step of formal apologies or payments. His approach demonstrates a thoughtful balance. Acknowledging past wrongs need not involve imposing today's values on history or placing a financial burden on the UK. Charles’s diplomacy resonates globally.