King will not apologise for slavery in Tuesday's Antigua speech despite Burnham saying he is 'open' to an apology
Andy Burnham proposed a "structured dialogue" with affected countries on any formal apology, while firmly ruling out financial reparations ahead of the Commonwealth summit.King Charles III and Queen Camilla, whose constitutional role bars the King from referencing Andy Burnham's policy shift on a formal apology in his CHOGM address.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed King Charles will confront slavery's legacy with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow" in his CHOGM opening speech in Antigua on Tuesday, but aides say he has made no changes to the address and no formal apology will be issued. The row erupted after Andy Burnham wrote that he is "open" to a formal state apology — going further than any previous prime minister — while explicitly ruling out reparations payments.
Burnham's intervention immediately triggered demands from Caribbean leaders, with Barbados PM Mia Mottley thanking him for "breaking new ground" on the path to reparations.
Kemi Badenoch blasted Burnham for "navel-gazing," warning that if every Commonwealth summit becomes a vehicle for extracting money from Britain, the country should question whether membership is worth its while.
Although the Palace was briefed on Burnham's comments ahead of time, the King will not reference the Government's policy shift, as his constitutional role bars him from wading into political debate.
