celebrities
king charles He faced renewed calls to formally apologize for slavery during his recent tour of the Caribbean. However, Express readers have largely supported the monarch’s decision not to apologise.
What royal fans think about King Charles not apologizing for slavery during Caribbean tour
One express The poll asked readers whether King Charles should apologize for slavery, with results showing overwhelming opposition to the idea. Of the 3,482 votes cast, 3,400 respondents (98%) said no, while 69 (2%) voted in favor. Another 13 readers (less than 1%) chose “Don’t Know”. Voting ran from 3.40pm on Tuesday, November 3 to 7.40pm on Thursday, November 5.
The results came after Charles addressed Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade during a speech in Antigua. Although the monarch stopped short of a formal apology, he acknowledged the lasting impact of slavery on the Caribbean and other Commonwealth countries.
“It is not our job to choose or change history,” King said. He further said that the past can inspire, surprise and teach people. “We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. However, we can learn from the past.”
Charles also acknowledged that slavery still “casts a shadow over these islands and the other members of our Commonwealth.” Describing the trade as a “shameful chapter”, he said it filled him with “horror” and “the deepest personal sorrow”.
However, the King also highlighted the Royal Navy’s role in helping end the international trade in enslaved people. He stressed that history has shown that “evil need not have the last word” and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing historical wrongs through meaningful action.
Charles cited education, employment opportunities, Commonwealth trade and climate resilience as key areas where progress can support communities facing hardships.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchway argued that discussions about reparations had become necessary. When asked whether Charles should apologise, he told Sky News: “That’s what countries have asked for… It would do no harm to do so. Absolutely not.”
As a result, the Kings’ Caribbean tour has brought the wider debate over apologies, reparations and meaningful action back into focus. While an Express poll indicates that its readers largely support Charles’s decision not to make a formal apology, calls for Britain to confront its historical role in the slave trade continue.