King's candid Commonwealth speech fell short of an apology for slave tradepublished at 17:07 GMT

17:07 GMT

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent, in Antigua

The King knew he couldn't give the audience exactly what they wanted today - which for many leaders would have been a straight apology for the transatlantic slave trade.

That will have disappointed many in the room but the King did speak with personal conviction and genuine sorrow.

These were the most extensive comments he has made on the UK’s role in the slave trade.

He was as candid as he could be in a role that a senior royal aide has described as "transcending politics" on this diplomatically delicate trip to the Caribbean

He is a constitutional monarch who is guided by the position of his government. That position may be shifting but for now it remains as no apology and no reparations.

The King was heard respectfully and warmly in the room by Commonwealth leaders and in the hours ahead we are likely to get reaction from them to the King’s words.

We're now bringing our live coverage to a close, you can read more in our news story.

Joe Coughlan
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

King Charles III today addressed Commonwealth leaders at a summit in which he called the slave trade the "most monstrous injustice" and a "shameful chapter" of history.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Antigua and Barbuda, the monarch said the period "fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow" - but he did not offer a direct apology.

Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade began in 1562, and by the 1730s it had become the world's biggest slave-trading nation., external

The King spoke of the character and courage to overcome "monstrous injustice" to bring about an end to the international slave trade, in which he said the "the Royal Navy played such a leading role".

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is also attending the Chogm, which is held every two years, and is expected to set out plans for a "debt reset" to support Commonwealth countries. The summit continues tomorrow.

Before our coverage comes to a close, we will bring you some analysis of the King's speech from our senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph.

Image source, Getty Images

Successive prime ministers have ruled out making reparations for the UK's part in the transatlantic trade of enslaved people.

Last week Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was open "to calls for an apology" but called reparations "not the right answer".

He is expected to set out plans for a "debt reset".

This would aim to support Commonwealth countries dealing with the growing cost of interest on their debts. The Aids Health Foundation charity warned that one in three Commonwealth countries are in debt distress.

Alongside plans for a debt reset for these countries, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is also expected to allocate £40 million for infrastructure improvements in the Caribbean.

"Britain is bringing a new approach to this meeting," the prime minister has said.

Bond, a network for organisations working in international development, welcomed the plan and said: "Too many Commonwealth countries are losing vital public revenue to unsustainable debt repayments and tax abuse, while struggling to fund their own public services including healthcare, education and climate resilience."

Image source, Getty Images

King Charles referred to the slave trade as a "shameful chapter of history" during his Commonwealth speech.

Buckingham Palace has been clear that it is not the King's role to decide whether the UK makes reparations for its part in the transatlantic trade of enslaved people.

Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade began in 1562, and by the 1730s it had become the world's biggest slave-trading nation., external

Between 1500 and 1800, around 12-15 million people were captured in Africa and taken to the Americas where they were forced to work as slaves. It is estimated that over two million people died on the journey.

The British Parliament passed more than one hundred acts supporting and protecting the slave trade and, with royal support and backing, had assisted the development of growing the enslaved African population in the British colonies.

British enslavers profited from the buying and selling of enslaved Africans to work on plantations and that trade became bound to Britain's economy and society.

Eventually, Parliament abolished the transatlantic slave trade in 1807, before banning enslaved labour colonies in 1833.

King offers no direct apologypublished at 15:43 GMT

15:43 GMT

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent, in Antigua

The words, as ever from the King, were careful and considered. But he spoke personally and that will have landed in a room full of leaders - many of whom want more from the UK.

There was no direct apology or offer of reparations but there was a sense of sorrow and contrition from the King in his own words.

There was an acknowledgement that he had personally learnt more about the brutality of the slave trade.

But there was also a sense from the King that the most powerful way forward is to look to the future and ensure the next generation of young people in the Commonwealth have the best opportunities made available to them.

“Evil need not have the last word,” the King said.

Joe Coughlan
Live reporter

Image source, Pool

King Charles III has described the transatlantic slave trade as a "shameful chapter of history", adding that the period still casts a "shadow" over the Caribbean and wider Commonwealth.

Here's a recap of what he told the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting:

• The King said the slave trade "fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow"
• He said the more he has furthered his "understanding of the issues" the more committed he has become to "address the wrongs of the past with action for the future" - including through improved access to education and encouraging "inter-Commonwealth trade"
• The King also spoke of challenges such as the "brutal conflicts" of the world and technology advancements "at dizzying speed" - saying they "comprise the crisis of our time"
• On the importance of tackling climate change, he said large ocean states are among those carrying the "greatest cost" and he is looking forward to hearing how Commonwealth leaders approach the issue
• He also directly addressed the gathered leaders, telling them the leadership of the Commonwealth is "in your hands" and it has the "unique advantage" to deliver tangible change

Image source, POOL

Concluding his speech, the King says he has only had time in this speech to mention "some of the ways" in which the Commonwealth is able to use its "unique advantage" to deliver tangible change.

Addressing the gathered leaders, he says the leadership of the Commonwealth is "in your hands".

"Each of you has the opportunity to make the greatest possible difference, I pray that over the coming days you will embrace this opportunity and commit yourselves to action," he says.

Above all, he says he trusts that each of the gathered leaders will commit to a Commonwealth in which "our young people can look to the future with greater confidence and purpose".

He ends by saying that he hopes people can draw inspiration from "this remarkable family of nations" as he himself has "always done".

The King mentions "brutal conflicts" the world is facing, and calls climate change a "catastrophic reality", which is leaving nature under constant attack.

He also says technology is transforming societies and economies "at dizzying speed", with little certainty about where it will lead us.

Together, these challenges "comprise the crisis of our time," the King continues.

The King then says that while the Commonwealth can't provide all of the solutions required, it does provide the opportunity to work together.

The monarch says the theme of this Chogm, accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth, represents a "vital opportunity" for us all.

On climate change, he adds that large ocean states have contributed little to the effects of climate change but are among those carrying the "greatest cost".

He says he is looking forward to hearing how Commonwealth leaders work with others such as the private sector on innovative proposals to tackle climate change.

Some of the most powerful words the King has ever said on slave tradepublished at 15:03 GMT

15:03 GMT

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent, in Antigua

Image source, UK Pool

These are some of the most powerful words the King has ever said on the slave trade.

He addressed the UK role in the slave trade early on in the speech and spoke personally of his own horror and profound personal sorrow.

The King continues, saying that the more he has furthered his "understanding of the issues" the more committed he has become to "address the wrongs of the past with action for the future".

This includes, he says, improving access to education, investing in jobs and opportunities, encouraging "inter-Commonwealth trade" and tackling climate change.

"I have always felt there is so much that can be done to help lift up those who struggle against hardship," he says, adding that he has "always tried to play my part in doing just that".

He says the Commonwealth today is not just a product of the past, but a "response of the world of today", adding that "its vocation is more compelling than ever... in a desperately troubled world".

Image source, UK POOL

The King continues by saying the prism of time can be "both clarifying and distorting", but its consequences "resonate with contemporary force".

He says: "Our history inspires us, can appal us yet it can always teach us."

The monarch says the transatlantic trade in enslaved persons "still cast a shadow" over the Caribbean islands and other members of the Commonwealth.

"As I've said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow," the King says.

He adds that character and courage can combine to overcome the "most monstrous injustice" as it did with the determination to end the international slave trade.

King Charles then pays tribute to the diversity of the Commonwealth, which he says has "mattered greatly" to him throughout his life.

None of us would be here today if not for our history, he continues, and says this history "is not ours to choose or change".

Our inheritance includes both our forebears' achievements and failures, he adds.

King Charles begins by saying he and the Queen are "delighted" to attend the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm), and adds it is "sobering" to think that he attended the first one 30 years ago.

He thanks the government of Antigua and Barbuda for their "remarkable hospitality".

"For one of the smallest nations on earth, your impact in the world is tremendous, and I think there is great truth is the saying 'small island, big vibes'," he says.

Image source, Commonwealth

King Charles III is now standing on stage to deliver his speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Antigua.

We will be bringing you updates here and you can watch the speech live at the top of this page.

Image source, The Commowealth

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey describes the Commonwealth as an "indispensable agent of change" in a "world of rupture and uncertainty".

"Citizens from St John's to Sydney, Manchester to Mombasa are living through profound uncertainty," she says.

She says the goal of the summit is to "build a new model of partnership" capable of responding to the "scale of challenges we face".

She adds that too many Commonwealth nations are "held back by the rules on debt treatments" and says Commonwealth nations are working together to "change the international financial system".

Image source, The Commonwealth

The prime minister of host nation Antigua and Barbuda is first to speak on stage at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).

Gaston Browne says hosting the meeting is "more than a privilege" and tells the King: "We are deeply honoured by your presence as Head of the Commonwealth, together with her Majesty the Queen."

He adds at the last Chogm, in Samoa in 2024, nations agreed the time had come for a "truthful respectful conversation on reparatory justice".

"We must now carry that commitment forward through structured inclusive dialogue on the enduring consequences of slavery and colonialism," he says.

Commonwealth gatherings have a habit of playing out noisilypublished at 14:12 GMT

14:12 GMT

Chris Mason
Political editor, in Antigua

Fifty-six Commonwealth countries are represented here.

This once-every-two-year gathering has a habit of playing out noisily, as this club with a long and often awkward history now thrashes around for purpose and a future.

British diplomats see a value in a collection of countries, including many small ones, scattered around the world with a combined population of 2.7 billion - and not involving America, China or Russia.

But after the summit in Samoa two years ago was dominated by reparations, this time the UK has sought to attempt to neutralise or at least cool the issue in advance.

A formal apology is in the offing in the next year and there's talk of trying to ease the burden of spiralling debt interest payments.

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent, in Antigua

Queen Elizabeth II was always a strong supporter of the Commonwealth. The King has picked up that baton - seeing it as a force for good.

More than 60% of the population of the Commonwealth is under the age of 29 according to official figures and the King is especially interested in the opportunities the Commonwealth offers young people as well as its work on the environment.

Buckingham Palace has issued an official statement on the King’s role as head of the Commonwealth and made it clear his role is not political.

An official spokesperson for the King has also spoken of the monarch’s "longstanding belief that lasting solutions come from collaboration between governments, business, investors, philanthropy and civil society".

Image source, Commonwealth

King Charles III has joined the leaders of the Commonwealth on stage ahead of the formal opening of the summit.

You can watch live at the top of this page, and we'll be providing text updates here.

Image source, Commonwealth

Representatives of all 56 Commonwealth member states have been welcomed to the stage ahead of the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The formal opening of the summit will begin shortly, during which the King will make an address - watch live above.