Prince Charles Calls Slavery an “Appalling Atrocity” Which “Forever Stains Our History” in Landmark Speech
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When Prince Charles arrived in Barbados on Sunday night, he did so for the last time as a Prince and future king of the realm. Attending a ceremony in Bridgetown’s Heroes’ Square Monday night, he watched as on the stroke of midnight Barbados was declared a republic and the royal flag was lowered and replaced with a Presidential Standard.
The landmark trip has made Charles the first British royal to be in Barbados on this new footing, almost exactly 400 years since the British first landed to colonize the island. And the Prince of Wales also chose the moment to break new ground with his choice of words, directly referring to Britain’s colonial history and the “appalling atrocity of slavery.”
“The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum—a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled, but which you have built,” the Prince said in a speech not long after midnight local time just after new President Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in.
The Prince continued, “From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.”
It is believed to be the first time a member of the royal family has publicly and directly addressed Britain’s slave trade while visiting the Caribbean. According to the National Archives, it is estimated that Britain transported 3.1 million enslaved people from Africa to locations including their colonies in the Caribbean and North and South America until the early 19th century. Prince Charles previously said in a speech in Ghana in November 2018 that, “The appalling atrocity of the slave trade, and the unimaginable suffering it caused, left an indelible stain on the history of our world.”
Tonight, the Prince addressed Barbados’s new President, who had previously held the role of the Queen’s representative in the country, and told her it was “important” to him to be there for the moment to “reaffirm” the “close and trusted partnership” between Britain and Barbados. He recalled his first official visit more than 50 years ago and also his time the country while serving with the Royal Navy.
“Across the decades, I have admired so much of what you have achieved and all you have come to represent. I have heard your voice in the world grow louder, advocating with clarity, passion and authority on issues of global significance,” the Prince said.
In a final act of diplomacy, the Prince chose to end his speech with words from Barbados’ National Anthem, “You are the guardians of your heritage, firm craftsmen of your fate!”
Following his speech, the Prince was presented with the Order of the Freedom of Barbados from President Mason. This, along with his presence at the event, has attracted criticism. A protest was planned but unable to go ahead, with the organizers saying they were not able to obtain permission from the COVID unit.
Protest organizer David Denny, who is the General Secretary for the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, told T&C that Prince Charles "shouldn’t be here at all, and what is even worse, that hurts us, is that he is receiving the highest honor. How can you honor a member of the royal family that exploited the people of Barbados?". He added that the royal family "should be asked to pay reparation, that's what the government of Barbados should be doing."
Prince Charles departs Barbados tomorrow evening after a brief program of engagements.
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