King Charles III and the Call for Reparations

King Charles III and reparations have become central topics in a renewed global debate on Britain’s colonial history and its role in the transatlantic slave trade. At the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, leaders from Africa and the Caribbean pushed for a “meaningful, truthful, and respectful” conversation on reparations. However, King Charles’ response stopped short of endorsing reparations, stating only that “the past cannot be changed.”

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The Monarchy’s Ties to the Slave Trade CARICOM’s Demand for Justice

The British monarchy’s connection to the transatlantic slave trade stretches back to the 16th century. Queen Elizabeth I endorsed Britain’s first prominent slave trader, John Hawkins, who paved the way for an industry that would traffic millions of Africans across the Atlantic. This shows that the royal family directly profited from this exploitation, amassing wealth that fueled Britain’s growth into a global empire.

So the justifiable call for reparations, championed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has continued to reach a fever pitch. CARICOM’s Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice outlines a comprehensive path to addressing historical wrongs. This includes debt cancellation, investment in education, healthcare, and a formal apology from Britain.

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Barbados, a former British colony and the first to legalize slavery in 1661, has led these demands with Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the helm. In her December 2023 address at the United Nations, Mottley proposed a reparations figure as high as $5 trillion, emphasizing the deep impact of colonial exploitation. CARICOM’s united stance at the CHOGM summit, where leaders from 15 Caribbean nations demanded reparations, marks a defining moment in the push for accountability.

The Hypocrisy of the Slave Compensation Commission

Britain’s history of involvement in slavery, coupled with its refusal to pay reparations to the descendants of the enslaved, is steeped in hypocrisy. Following the abolition of slavery in 1833, the British government established the Slave Compensation Commission, which allocated £20 million (approximately £17 billion today) to compensate 47,000 slaveowners for their “loss of property.” This financial bailout, the largest in British history until the 2009 Great Recession, enriched Britain’s elite while leaving the formerly enslaved without any restitution.

Prominent families who benefited from this fund include the ancestors of George Orwell, David Cameron, and Graham Greene. Notably, the British government continued paying off the loan for this compensation scheme until 2015, underscoring the depth of this historical injustice. Today, descendants of those enslaved continue to call for reparations. The Slave Compensation Commission’s legacy serves as a stark reminder of the wealth amassed at the expense of African people—a history that Britain has yet to meaningfully address.

Indigenous and Global Perspectives: Lidia Thorpe and the Monarchy’s Colonial Shadows

The push for reparations extends beyond African and Caribbean communities. In Australia, Indigenous leaders like Senator Lidia Thorpe have voiced demands for recognition and reparations. During King Charles III’s recent visit to Australia this year, Thorpe interrupted his speech, declaring, “You are not my king, you are not our king. F*** the colony.” Her protest underscores the absurdity that she, an Indigenous elected official in Australia, holds less power than an unelected foreign king who serves as Australia’s Head of State due to his ancestors’ colonial exploits.

Thorpe’s defiance aligns with a broader international shift. In July 2023, Dutch King Willem-Alexander issued an apology for the Netherlands’ role in slavery, signaling that some European nations are beginning to confront their colonial pasts; however, advocates for reparations argue that Dutch apologies are not enough. King Charles III, on the other hand, has yet to take similar steps. Perhaps the British monarchy’s reluctance to apologize stems from the knowledge that an apology would mean taking accountability—accountability that leads to liability, a burden the monarchy is keen to avoid. While it’s convenient to inherit titles, wealth, and power from one’s ancestors, taking responsibility for their actions, especially while profiting from them, is a line European aristocratic families are often unwilling to cross. They want to have their cake and eat it too, enjoying ancestral privileges without facing the consequences.

King Charles III’s Commonwealth Summit Speech

During his recent speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, King Charles III addressed Britain’s colonial history, acknowledging the “painful” aspects of the past. His remarks, however, stopped short of an apology or a commitment to reparations. Instead, he pledged to support the Commonwealth, stating, “For however many years God grants me, I will join you and the people of the Commonwealth on every step of this journey.” While he urged for “openness and respect” in discussing challenging issues, many viewed his speech as an insufficient response to growing demands for justice.

The British government, represented by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, maintained a similar stance. Starmer emphasized climate change as his priority at the summit, subtly sidestepping the reparations issue despite mounting pressure from African and Caribbean leaders. By avoiding reparative justice discussions, both Charles and Starmer risked alienating nations that see reparations as essential for addressing the legacy of colonial exploitation.

The summit’s attendance reflected the ambivalence felt across the Commonwealth. Out of 56 member countries, fewer than half sent heads of state; instead, many nations were represented by lower-ranking officials. This lower turnout may signal a waning interest in British leadership among Commonwealth nations, particularly as calls for reparations intensify and former colonies reconsider their constitutional ties to the monarchy.

King Charles III and the Turning Point for the Monarchy?

At the CHOGM summit, King Charles III acknowledged the Commonwealth’s “painful” history but avoided endorsing reparations. His remarks, though cautiously sympathetic, fell short of what activists and leaders from former colonies demanded. King Charles III and British leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to address Britain’s colonial legacy with action, not just words.

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Reparations are not solely about financial compensation. The United Nations outlines five key components of reparations: restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition. CARICOM’s Ten Point Plan aligns with this framework, emphasizing the need for systemic change to dismantle racial inequities embedded in former colonies.

For King Charles, supporting reparations would go beyond expressing sorrow. It would signal a commitment to equity, justice, and structural reform across the Commonwealth. True reconciliation requires acknowledging past wrongs and committing to a future built on fairness and accountability. Without meaningful action, the monarchy risks remaining a relic of colonial oppression, overshadowed by its painful history.