What the Palace has said about the King's speech
King Charles III will address the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in Antigua. The speech comes on the last leg of his Caribbean tour, Buckingham Palace said. He will deliver it to Commonwealth leaders at their heads of government meeting on Tuesday.
A Palace spokesperson said the King "will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past during this visit". People should expect him to speak with "unflinching honesty, sincere sorrow, and respect for the wider discussions" between governments on the issue, the spokesperson added.
Asked how the King viewed the prime minister's remarks, the spokesperson said it would "not be appropriate" for him to comment on the UK government's position. The Palace was told in advance about Burnham's comments, according to the BBC, and the King has not altered his speech because of them.
A change of tone from the government
Burnham wrote in an opinion piece for the Guardian, published on Friday night, that he is open to the UK formally apologising for its part in slavery. The government has never issued such an apology or offered reparations. Burnham has previously followed his predecessors' policy and has not entertained the idea of reparation payments.
In the article, he called the slave trade a "brutal and barbaric violation" and said Britain "must face up to the past". He also pledged to strengthen the Commonwealth as an organisation. The Palace said that commitment would be welcomed by the King, who regards the grouping as a powerful vehicle for change.
Opposition pushes back
Kemi Badenoch, who leads the Conservative Party, rejected the idea of an apology. She described "endless talk about apologies" as a "distraction" from tackling present-day problems.
Speaking on BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said the slave trade happened centuries ago. "It is time for the Commonwealth to start looking forwards, not endlessly backwards," she said.
A tour shaped by colonial history
The trip has repeatedly drawn the King into debates over Britain's colonial legacy. In the Bahamas, the first stop, he spoke of the "suffering of the past". In Guyana, he visited the site of a slave rebellion where hundreds of enslaved people were killed. The Palace described that visit as a chance for him to learn more about the history of slavery and resistance.
His schedule has also taken in the environment, opportunities for young people and trade ties with the UK. Royal sources stressed that any apology is a matter for government. "His Majesty is well practised on the diplomatic tightrope," one royal aide said. The aide added that the King sees it as his role to "bat for Britain", the Realms and the wider Commonwealth.
The Palace spoke warmly of the Commonwealth, which has 56 member countries. "Institutions are under strain across the globe," a spokesperson said. The group has scale and breadth, but is small enough for leaders to know one another and cooperate.
The King's wider circumstances
Queen Camilla is with the King in Antigua. The couple attended a church service on Sunday morning before joining Independence Day celebrations on the island. The tour is expected to involve about 36 engagements in hot, humid conditions.
The BBC noted that the past few months have been difficult for the King. They have brought developments surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and a book by his former brother-in-law, Earl Spencer. The Duke of Sussex also moved back to the UK with his wife and their children in August.
Asked whether the King was confident his handling of family matters had been right, a senior aide told the BBC: "Yes." On allegations about Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, the Palace said it would not comment on private family matters. The King is still being treated for cancer, diagnosed in early 2024, and the Palace says he remains on a "positive trajectory".
