Commonwealth summit: Can't change 'painful' past, but must learn lessons, says King Charles

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, King Charles III on Friday (October 25) addressed the need for member nations to acknowledge the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

As demands for reparations from African and Caribbean nations gain momentum, Charles recognised the lasting resonance of this past while calling on leaders to forge a future guided by historical understanding.

With representatives from 56 nations — many former British colonies — attending, the biennial summit sees slavery and climate change at the forefront of discussions. Charles reflected on these themes, insisting that although “none of us can change the past,” it is essential to “learn its lessons” and create pathways to redress ongoing inequalities.

The question of reparations, particularly championed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union, has intensified in recent years, with calls for Britain to make reparative amends.

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Formal apology ruled out

While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has encouraged dialogue, he ruled out a formal apology, suggesting instead that the summit avoid lengthy debates over reparations.

The draft conclusion of the summit is expected to include language supporting discussions on the issue and will be released on Saturday (October 26).

Baroness Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, expressed a shared commitment to unity amid a complex history. She described the summit as a “coming together as equals” that bridges painful pasts with shared aspirations.

As a Commonwealth figure herself, born in Dominica, Scotland stressed that cooperation and community are integral to overcoming the challenges faced by these nations today.

Beyond the topic of reparations, climate change has loomed as a central concern for the summit. Delegates are expected to sign the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, a collective commitment to boost financing for ocean health and secure maritime boundaries.

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Maritime borders

As climate threats bear down on the many small island nations within the Commonwealth, which are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, Scotland voiced the vital need for lasting support, affirming that once “marine boundaries are fixed, they’re fixed in perpetuity.”

For Commonwealth nations, many of which are low-lying islands already feeling the effects of climate change, the stakes are existential. “You come to this beautiful paradise,” Scotland observed, “and then you realise that paradise is in danger.”

Charles echoed this concern, pointing to the severe climate events witnessed this year, including storms in the Caribbean, floods in East Africa, and wildfires in Canada.

The British royal warned that these crises are no longer future concerns but are actively undermining development and security across the Commonwealth.

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'Genuine opportunity for all'

This is King Charles's first CHOGM as head of state, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II, for whom the Commonwealth held utmost importance. The monarch, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, has taken an active role in pledging the body’s relevance in modern challenges.

He conveyed his hope for a Commonwealth founded on “genuine opportunity for all,” and urged leaders to choose “the language of community and respect” over division.

Charles’s visit to Samoa will conclude with a return to Britain, after stops in Australia where his presence prompted protests over colonial history.