UK Rules Out Slavery Reparations Even As King Charles Expresses Remorse

Britain has ruled out paying reparations for slavery, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband calling compensation impractical after King Charles III expressed remorse at a Commonwealth summit.

Miliband told the BBC in an interview aired Wednesday that the government would maintain its opposition to reparations, while leaving open the possibility of an apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade.

“It's not the right answer. It's not practical. It's not feasible for us, but there are things we can work on co-operatively,” he said.

The remarks set out the government’s position as Prime Minister Andy Burnham proposed help with debt repayments for the poorest Commonwealth countries.

Britain’s role in slavery has long strained relations with its former colonies.

Possible Apology at G20 Summit

Miliband indicated that Britain could issue a formal apology by the time it hosts a G20 leaders’ summit in Manchester next November.

Asked whether the country could reach that point by the meeting, he replied: “Broadly speaking, yes.”

He insisted, however, that an apology would not open the way to financial compensation.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, Burnham floated a debt reset that could change interest rates on repayments by the group’s poorest countries.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the prime minister reiterated his opposition to reparations while saying Britain supported Commonwealth countries with development and debt problems.

Burnham said he would hold difficult conversations to safeguard the Commonwealth’s future.

His approach drew criticism from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and the right-wing press.

Charles Stops Short of Apology

Opening the summit during a nine-day Caribbean tour, Charles described slavery as a “monstrous injustice” and said its effects continued to be felt across the islands and other Commonwealth members.

The king went further than previous royals in expressing horror, but did not apologize. He also emphasized Britain’s role in eventually abolishing slavery.

The debate follows a tense Commonwealth meeting in Samoa in 2024, when member countries backed talks on reparatory justice after Britain, then led by Keir Starmer, sought to avoid the issue.

The Commonwealth comprises 56 countries, most of them former British colonies. Charles and Queen Camilla were due to leave Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday at the end of their Caribbean tour.