King Charles’s reflective seven-word message in plea to world leaders about slave commerce

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

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

As he urged world leaders who gathered today on the Pacific island, he said: “we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons” In his role as head of the commonwealth, the King 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”.

The King added in his landmark speech: “As we look around the world and consider its many deeply concerning challenges, let us choose within our Commonwealth family the language of community and respect, and reject the language of division.

“None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.”

In an interview with the BBC, Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated the government’s view about reparations. The 45-year-old MP 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.”

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.

Ahead of the summit in Samoa, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisted Sir Keir Starmer would not be discussing reparations when he attends Chogm.

But officials of Commonwealth nations are looking at an agreement that could begin conversations on the issue through a communique, according to the BBC.

Charles told the gathered world leaders: “Together, we represent a third of humanity, with all the splendidly diverse complexity that this entails. And yet we know and understand each other, such that we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect.

“At a time of heightened global tensions, of horrifying conflict and challenges of the greatest magnitude, it seems to me that these connections between us are more precious than ever. Together we are wiser, stronger and more able to respond to the demands of our time.”

He added: “That said, our cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from. I understand, from listening to people across the Commonwealth, how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.”