GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Caribbean reparations campaigners are urging King Charles III to use his influence to advance negotiations on reparatory justice, with the region preparing to place the issue prominently on the agenda at next month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, made a personal appeal to the British monarch, asking him to acknowledge his family’s historical connections to slavery and support efforts to address its enduring consequences.
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Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the November 1–4 summit, Beckles called on Charles to act not only in his capacity as monarch and head of the Commonwealth but also as a fellow human being concerned about historical injustice.
“My personal appeal to King Charles III, not so much in his role as head of the Commonwealth, not so much in his role as the constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom … I’m appealing to Charles Windsor, a parent, a grandparent, a man today who reflects upon the history of his family,” Beckles said.
He argued that the Commonwealth had an opportunity to become a stronger advocate for justice by supporting meaningful discussions on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and the systems of exploitation that enriched institutions and families.
Beckles urged the king to help transform the Commonwealth into what he described as a “moral institution committed to human justice,” adding that reparatory justice would be a central concern for Caribbean representatives attending the summit.
The appeal comes amid renewed calls for Britain to issue a formal apology for slavery and participate in structured negotiations on reparations. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey recently said an apology from the monarch “wouldn’t hurt,” adding that the time had come for serious discussions about reparatory justice.
Eric Phillips, chairman of Guyana’s Reparations Committee and a vice-chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, also called on Charles to acknowledge the historical harm and encourage dialogue.
“The people in the UK say ‘Long live the King’, we in Guyana say ‘Long live the King so that he can apologise and call for reparations,’” Phillips said.
Jamaica has also intensified its efforts to pursue reparations. In September, Jamaican officials submitted a petition seeking legal consideration of questions relating to Britain’s responsibility for slavery. The matter is expected to be heard by the United Kingdom’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in March 2027.
In response to previous questions about the issue, a palace spokesperson said the king had expressed a personal commitment to promoting greater understanding of slavery and exploring ways to address historical wrongs for the benefit of communities today.
However, regional campaigners remain concerned about the extent of support for formal reparations discussions within the Commonwealth. David Comissiong, deputy chair of Barbados’ National Task Force on Reparations, said there was disagreement over a proposed section of the summit’s draft communiqué that would direct Commonwealth foreign ministers to pursue structured, inclusive and good-faith dialogue on the historical harms of the transatlantic slave trade.
While a commitment to continued dialogue had reportedly been retained in the draft, Comissiong questioned why agreement had not been reached on the proposed mechanism for advancing those discussions.
Dorbrene O’Marde, chair of Antigua and Barbuda’s Reparations Commission, said campaigners planned to raise the issue during the summit’s major forums. A Global Reparations Caravan, combining advocacy, cultural activities and demonstrations, is also scheduled to launch on November 3.
The renewed campaign builds on CARICOM’s Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice, which calls for measures addressing the lasting consequences of slavery and colonialism. The framework includes demands relating to public health, education, cultural rehabilitation, debt relief and development, alongside broader calls for acknowledgement and accountability.
Beckles described the upcoming Commonwealth meeting as a significant opportunity to move beyond general expressions of concern towards substantive discussions between governments.
“This is the meeting of the Commonwealth in the Caribbean, and the number one item in the Caribbean as far as this gathering is concerned is reparatory justice,” he said.
The debate over reparations continues to raise questions about historical responsibility, the role of former colonial powers and the practical steps required to address the long-term effects of slavery. Caribbean leaders and campaigners are seeking commitments that extend beyond symbolic recognition to meaningful dialogue and action.
With King Charles expected to attend the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda, campaigners hope the gathering will create renewed momentum for discussions between Caribbean nations, Britain and other countries and institutions connected to the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
