Commonwealth chief calls on King Charles to issue apology for slavery: ‘Wouldn’t hurt’

On the question of reparations, Ms Botchwey offered her personal stance that the moment for meaningful dialogue has arrived.

“I don’t believe we can run away from it. But it is important to determine the form that reparations should take, and that is something that will emerge eventually,” she told Sky News’s Ali Fortescue.

The form any reparations might take, she suggested, would ultimately be a matter for member states to settle among themselves.

Elaborating on what non-financial reparations might look like, the Commonwealth chief pointed to “concessional financing”, including the treatment of debt, as well as climate-related matters and the repatriation of cultural artefacts.

When asked directly whether the King ought to apologise, Ms Botchwey responded: “That’s what the countries have asked for.”

Pressed on whether she personally wished to see such a step, she was unequivocal. “It wouldn’t hurt to have that. Not at all,” she said.

“So whether it takes the form of financial reparations or reparations in kind, that is for the countries to decide on,” she added.

Buckingham Palace aides have made clear that the King will not be offering an apology for the Crown’s historical involvement in the slave trade.

They did, however, stress that the Royal Family would “not shy away from the darkest days of our past.”

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The UK Government, meanwhile, has maintained an unambiguous position on the financial dimension of the debate.

A Government spokesman described the transatlantic slave trade as “abhorrent,” acknowledging both its devastating consequences and the depth of feeling it continues to provoke.

“The UK’s position is clear: we do not and will not pay reparations,” the spokesman said, while affirming the country’s commitment to ongoing dialogue with partners regarding historical legacies.