King Charles’ ‘apology’ for Britain’s role in slavery would be ‘significant’ but ‘government won’t allow it’

The supporter of reparations for slavery took this with caution King Charlescomments on Britain’s painful past.

Laura Trevelyanformer BBC journalist who left her position to join the Caribbean fight for reparative justice after discovering her ancestors’ involvement in the slave trade has praised the tone of the statement The king’s speech in Samoa on Friday, October 25.

Addressing the heads of government of the Commonwealth of Nations – a group of 56 nations, including many Caribbean countries with historical ties to the UK – Charles admitted there were “painful aspects of our past”. His comments come amid calls for a Commonwealth conference to discuss reparations justice for the Atlantic slave trade.

“That’s why it’s important that we understand our history to help us make the right choices in the future,” Charles added.

Trevelyan, who held a senior position at the BBC in the US, tells PEOPLE exclusively: “I thought the king’s tone was much better than (the UK government’s). He acknowledged the pain that many people in the Caribbean and even Africa still feel today due to the transatlantic slave trade.”

“He acknowledged both the pain of the past and looked to the future,” he adds. “For me, that has been a contrast so far to the Prime Minister, who has definitely said: ‘Let’s look forward, not back’.”

While Charles admitted that Britain was “painful”, he stopped short of apologizing for the country’s role in the slave trade. Regardless of his personal views, the King is limited by his position as a constitutional monarch and cannot oppose the British government on political matters. “Presumably, given the sensitive issues, he would have to verify what he said,” adds the lawyer who set up the Trevelyan Grenada compensation fund.

Trevelyan says she thinks the king is “stuck in limbo in a sense.” Just as the UK government is not following the example of the King of the Netherlands, who recently apologized. In a speech in 2023, King Willem-Alexander of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands asked for forgiveness for “the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity.”

Trevelyan says: “As head of the Church of England and the Commonwealth of Nations, an apology from (King Charles) would be extremely significant. From the tone of the government’s comments, it appears that they will not allow him to do so.”

He adds, “There is great healing power in admitting this.”

Trevelyan embarked on her own journey into the past. In February 2023, she and seven family members, including her father George, traveled to the Caribbean for a ceremony where they publicly signed a letter of apology. After discovering that her family once owned 1,000 slaves in Grenada, she donated $127,000 from her retirement savings to the government to fund educational initiatives in the country.

She highlighted Charles’ comments about “finding ways to correct inequality.” Speaking from Grenada, where he runs a charity, he tells PEOPLE: “That’s the trick – both acknowledging the pain of the past and recognizing it in the way that Caribbean leaders are calling for, and finding a way to address inequality.”

He believes the UK Government could contribute by funding programs to tackle the challenges facing the islands due to climate change. In July, Grenada and its neighbors were devastated by Hurricane Beryl.

“These islands are trying to rebuild better, but with winds blowing at 250 miles an hour and sea levels higher than ever without money, it’s very difficult,” he explains.

“Britain has a responsibility because the ancestors of its people were brought here by British slave traders or plantation owners like me, and now people are struggling with the consequences of climate change fueled by the industrial revolution, and Britain has been a major polluter.” says Trevelyan.

He adds: “There is a difference between reparations and reparative justice – which is gentler and broader than reparation – and it starts with talking about the past and acknowledging the horrors of the past. “It shouldn’t endanger anyone and it doesn’t mean countries are paying trillions of dollars.”

The Caribbean “is a group of countries whose links with the UK remain significant and this represents an opportunity for the UK to lead. It would be good if someone took advantage of this opportunity,” he continues.

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The king has supported an investigation into the royal family’s links to slavery. During a 2021 visit to the Bahamas, he expressed his dismay at the crimes of the past, describing the “horrific cruelty of slavery that forever stains our history.”

In 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, Charles increased his commitment to this issue by: stating in his speech“I cannot describe the depth of my personal sadness for the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of the lasting effects of slavery. Many of these evils come from an earlier era with different – ​​and in some ways lesser – values. By working together, we build a new and lasting friendship.”