Britain's King Charles calls slave trade a shameful chapter in history

Britain's King Charles III has called the transatlantic slave trade a "shameful chapter of history" during a speech Tuesday.

King Charles III, during a speech Tuesday at the official opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua said the transatlantic slave trade

still casts a shadow over these islands and other members of our Commonwealth. "We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past.

The transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands, and other members of our Commonwealth.

That shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow. And yet, history also teaches us that evil need

not have the last word. That character and courage can combine to overcome the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people"

The comments come just days after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he is open to making a formal apology and proposed leading a programme of debt restructuring to help the Commonwealth's poorest countries, although he

has rejected calls for the UK to pay reparations and stopped short at offering an apology.

Britain's Royal Family has a long association with the transportation and selling of enslaved people for profit.

Ahead of the meeting, Charles hosted a reception for newly appointed Commonwealth leaders.

He was joined by President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Godwin Friday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham,

Prime Minister of Tonga Lord Fatafehi Fakafana and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

King Charles and Queen Camilla also visited a beach in St. John's in Antigua to meet youth-led environmental organisations and community groups working to

protect the coastline through conservation, education and beach-cleaning initiatives.

The King's arrival to Antigua was met with a less than welcoming crowd.

In St John's just ahead of the opening ceremony, a group of protestors held placards urging Britain to acknowledge historical wrongdoing and commit to repairing the harm.

A protestor is seen holding up a sign reading "You say you 'regret so apologise."