King Charles III and prime minister Keir Starmer are set to face demands for reparations totalling an astonishing $261 billion for the United Kingdom’s historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
The issue is expected to surface at the upcoming Commonwealth summit later this month, where leaders from 56 nations will gather. These demands come in the wake of comments made by Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley, who has been a vocal advocate for reparations, calling for them to be part of a “global reset.”
Speaking at the United Nations, Mottley highlighted the importance of addressing the legacies of slavery and colonialism in shaping modern global relations.Reparations estimates range from $261 billion to as much as $24 trillion.
UN Judge Patrick Robinson has emphasised the moral responsibility of governments to offer reparations for historical injustices, further strengthening calls for financial compensation.
Earlier this month, Mottley met with King Charles in London to discuss the issue ahead of the Commonwealth meeting. While Buckingham Palace has not disclosed the details of their discussion, Mottley praised the king’s openness, stating that he acknowledged the importance of addressing Britain’s role in the slave trade, calling it “a conversation whose time has come.”
King Charles has reportedly taken his family’s historical connections to slavery very seriously. This follows the discovery of a ledger by historian Dr Brooke Newman, which revealed that King William III received shares in the Royal African Company, a business heavily involved in the slave trade. The 1689 document shows a transfer of $1,300 in shares from Edward Colston, the company’s governor, to William of Orange.
Buckingham Palace has expressed deep regret over Britain’s historical role in slavery. A spokesperson for the palace told RadarOnline, “I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.” The palace has partnered with Historic Royal Palaces in an independent research project exploring the British monarchy’s ties to the transatlantic slave trade during the 17th and 18th centuries, with access to the royal collection and archives supporting this initiative.
UK foreign secretary David Lammy, whose ancestry is linked to the legacy of slavery, has also reflected on how his ancestors endured “the twisted lies of imperialism,” recalling how they were stolen from their homes, shackled, and turned into slaves.