King Charles says ‘none of us can change past’ amid row over slavery reparations

The King has said “none of us can change the past” amid growing calls for reparations for Britain’s role in the slave trade.

But in his first speech as monarch at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Samoa, Charles said he had come to recognise through listening to people across the 56 represented nations “how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”.

During a 13 minute address in front of leaders from all the commonwealth nations inside the Tuanaimato Sports Complex, Charles urged world leaders who gathered today on the Pacific island to work together to find common solutions to the world’s gravest issues, he said: “We can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons.”

In his role as head of the Commonwealth, the King also said it was vital for the family of nations to understand each other’s history in order “to guide us to make the right choices in the future”. World leaders will elect the new Commonwealth secretary-general to replace Baroness Scotland during their meeting and all three candidates vying for the job have called for reparations to countries that were affected by slavery and colonialism.

Before the summit in Samoa the Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisted Keir Starmer would not be discussing reparations at Chogm this week. But officials of Commonwealth nations are looking at an agreement that could begin conversations on the issue through a communique.

In an interview with the BBC, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “We’re not going to be paying out the reparations that some countries are speaking about. I understand why they make those demands but that’s not something that this Government is doing.”