King and Queen attend Antigua independence parade and slavery exhibition

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 00:21 · Archive

King Charles and Queen Camilla are attending events in Antigua and Barbuda ahead of a Commonwealth summit on Tuesday where slavery and potential reparations will be discussed.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a Sunday church service in Antigua and Barbuda as their first official engagement ahead of a Commonwealth summit. The service at the cathedral celebrated the Commonwealth as a 'family of nations', with Anglican Bishop Ernest Flemming telling those gathered that 'prosperity' must be 'shared prosperity' and that small states' voices must be 'meaningfully' included in decision-making, not merely heard ceremonially.

The couple also visited Government House where they toured an exhibition charting the island's links to the slave trade. They viewed slavery artefacts including shackles, ceramic medallions depicting enslaved people, and diagrams of cross-sections of slave ships. As they left, they walked past former slave quarters believed to be the oldest of their kind in the East Caribbean. Cuthbert Forbes, senior assistant to the Governor-General's wife, said the visit was about 'telling that story for us as black Caribbean people, this story of how far we have come'.

On Monday the King and Queen will attend Antigua and Barbuda's 45th independence parade and meet cricketing legends including Sir Viv Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose. The King will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Tuesday, where slavery, apology and reparations are expected to dominate discussions. He is expected to address the issue with 'unflinching honesty' and 'sincere sorrow' but is not expected to offer an apology. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has offered Commonwealth nations the opportunity to discuss a slavery apology from Britain but ruled out financial reparations.

How it is being reported

• King and Queen view slavery artefacts during Antigua and Barbuda visitCharles and Camilla toured the museum at Antigua’s Government House, once a symbol of British colonial oppression for Antiguans.Evening Standard · 2 Nov, 18:41
• King Charles visits moving Antigua and Barbuda slave trade exhibition ahead of Commonwealth addressBoth King Charles and Queen Camilla were shown exhibits explaining the history of slavery in Antigu and Barbuda as they prepare to meet leaders from across the CommonwealthThe Mirror · 2 Nov, 17:52
• King and Queen attend Sunday service in AntiguaCharles and Camilla attended their first official engagement of their trip to Antigua for a summit of Commonwealth leaders.Evening Standard · 1 Nov, 19:19
• Queen Camilla joins King Charles for the first time in Antigua ahead of major Commonwealth meetingCharles and Camilla’s first official engagement of their trip to Antigua saw them enjoy a special Sunday service celebrating the Commonwealth "family of nations"The Mirror · 1 Nov, 19:10
• King and Queen to attend Antigua and Barbuda’s independence paradeCharles and Camilla will also meet leading individuals recognised for their service to the country across public life.Evening Standard · 1 Nov, 09:46
• King and Queen to attend Antigua and Barbuda’s independence paradeCharles and Camilla will also meet leading individuals recognised for their service to the country across public life.Evening Standard · 1 Nov, 06:39

In this story: King Charles III · Queen Camilla · Antigua and Barbuda · Sir Viv Richards · Andy Burnham · Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting · Sir Rodney Williams

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