King and Queen visit 'symbol of British colonial oppression' in Antigua as slavery reparations row continues

The King and Queen were faced with the stark history and legacy of slavery today as they attended a community event in Antigua - amidst an intensifying row over Britain's involvement in the slave trade.The couple visited Government House, the home of the monarch's representative in Antigua and Barbuda, which has been described as a one-time 'symbol of British colonial oppression.'Their Majesties were due to view former slave quarters, now restored as a reminder of the evils of Britain's transatlantic slave trade, as well as a sobering display of items from the time including shackles.The King is in Antigua in his role as Head of the Commonwealth for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where he is set to speak with 'unflinching honesty' and 'sincere sorrow' on the lasting pain of the slave trade.But the end of his nine-day Caribbean tour threatens to be overshadowed by calls for Britain to make reparations over its past involvement in slavery - after Andy Burnham opened the door to an official apology for Britain's role.The PM's suggested he was 'open to' calls for a formal apology - a move the Government has resisted for decades despite intense international pressure - but said the British public should not pay compensation for what happened in the past.Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, has insisted Britain has 'had enough of apologising' for its past and has rejected calls for reparations. Today's engagement took place under sunnier skies than Saturday, when a rare lapse in Palace preparation left His Majesty soaked through by a freak rainshower without an umbrella.Perhaps ensuring she was prepared for every eventuality thereafter, The Queen arrived at Government House today with a white lace parasol she used to shield herself from the strong Caribbean sun. Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla gesture after unveiling a commemorative plaque during their visit to Government House in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Government House in St. John, Antigua and Barbuda - once regarded as a 'symbol of British colonial oppression' Saturday saw the King visibly flustered after he was caught in the rain without an umbrella Queen Camilla, perhaps prepared for every eventuality following the weekend, arrived at Government House with a white lace parasolThe King had appeared visibly frustrated as he gestured for an umbrella at the open-air Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, miming one and urging staff to 'bring it' as his lightweight summer suit was drenched, turning transparent in places.He remained on the pitch as the Queen was handed a clear dome umbrella and ushered to the royal seating area - eventually being handed an umbrella by his equerry, Major Ben Rigby, who had run back to the stands to retrieve one.Having been handed an umbrella, he stoically wiped the rain from his face with his handkerchief as he inspected the parade looking altogether more relaxed.Greeted by the crowd with cheers after the passing shower - which lasted all of five minutes - the King and Queen returned the greeting with a wave and a warm smile.His Majesty would later laugh off the sudden soaking, joking afterwards: 'I've started growing watercress on my trousers.'Today, he looked relaxed and dapper in a light grey suit, complemented by a blue and white tie decorated with Greek columns of the Doric and Ionic orders - a nod to his Greek heritage and his late father, Prince Philip, who was born on Corfu.His Majesty completed his relaxed look with a matching blue and white pocket square and a pair of Serengeti sunglasses - while the Queen wore a light-colored kaftan-style dressToday's engagements saw Their Majesties first met by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and his wife, Lady Sandra Williams, as well as the Royal Police Force Iron Band and Carnival masqueraders.After meeting other Governor Generals from the Caribbean region, as well as charity representatives at a community reception, they were also treated to a cooking display of the traditional Antiguan dish of fungee and pepperpot. The King and Queen then unveiled a plaque at the main entrance to commemorate its restoration, returning the building to use as the Governor-General's official residence. Afterwards, they were due to view Government House itself, which has been undergoing an extensive nine-year restoration programme which finished this year. The King looked dapper in a light grey suit, which he complemented with a pair of Serengeti sunglasses He also wore a blue and white tie decorated with Greek columns of the Doric and Ionic orders - a nod to his Greek heritage and his late father, Prince Philip, who was born on Corfu The King and Queen were animated as they joined a community reception, where they were shown how to prepare the traditional Antiguan dish of fungee and pepperpot King Charles III speaks with a young woman presenting an art work made with recycled plastic bottles, next to Governor-General Rodney Williams, at Government House King Charles III and Queen Camilla speak to Jackie Ferracho Williams, a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Horticultural Society, at Agave Gardens in St John'sInside, they visited the Government House Art Gallery where they met Antiguan artist and art educator Mark Brown, viewing both his artworks and those of students of Antigua and Barbuda's Royal Drawing School. They The King and Queen will also visit the Government House Museum where Their Majesties will view an exhibition about the history of Antigua and Barbuda and how it has shaped the islands and their people, as well as the World War Honour Roll. Later, they travelled to Agave Gardens, home to the Antigua and Barbuda Horticultural Society, where they were again received by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and his wife, Lady Williams, to learn about the work of the Society.The King, a noted horticultural enthusiast, was shown a collection of heritage seeds stored at the Gardens, and was set to hear about the Society's efforts to preserve seeds, ensure food security and support climate resilience.Government House is now marketed as a 'living testament to overcoming the adversity of slavery' and to achieving a national autonomy that nurtures a cultural identity. Many of today's leaders in Antigua and Barbuda are descended from the people who built Government House and occupied its quarters. The King was visibly flustered as he was caught in a sudden downpour on Saturday, gesturing rapidly for an umbrella Charles eventually laughed off the soaking, joking afterwards: 'I've started growing watercress on my trousers'Once a symbol of British imperialism, Government House 'now bears witness to a national journey about emancipation and independence, from enslavement and colonial rule to the reclamation, conservation and public recognition of Antigua and Barbuda heritage'.The English slave trade in Antigua was a brutal enterprise spanning more than 130 years, involving the wholesale kidnap of men, women and children from West Africa who were exported to the Caribbean.In Antigua they were sold in the slave market in the capital, St John's.Approximately 138,000 enslaved Africans were imported into Antigua between 1670 and 1820.Experts believe there were never more than 40,000 people living there at any one time due to extreme mortality rates from the harsh conditions and high infant mortality.Enslaved people were mainly put to work on plantations to grow sugar cane which was used to process molasses, sugar crystals and rum. It was arduous, hot and filthy work.At its peak there were 300 plantations on the island, producing vast wealth for owners and governors.Slave owners managed enslaved people with unrelenting brutality using corporal punishment and both physical and sexual violence.The King and Queen are due to see a display of conch shells used to call people to tasks, but also used by the enslaved people to communicate and were seen as a symbol of resistance and freedom.They will also be shown slave quarters, now carefully restored, and shackles consisting of iron hoops joined by a length of chain used for transportation and punishment.Their visit comes as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham flies into Antigua tonight ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), having lit the touch paper on the increasingly toxic debate over a potential apology from Britain for its role in slavery, and the payment of reparations to Caribbean and African nations.In a social media post, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband justified his decision to invite a conversation over an apology, while ruling out any payment of reparations.He said: 'Transatlantic slavery was a horrific chapter in our history. It was a brutal and barbaric violation of the humanity of millions, the legacy of which is still felt by so many today. We can't change the past, but we can face it with honesty.'Listen to those whose countries and communities continue to feel its legacy, including in Britain, and build stronger relationships for the future.'That's why the Prime Minister has committed to establishing a formal, structured dialog with Caribbean and African partners, overseas territories, and affected communities in Britain. 'This will allow us to discuss the history and ongoing legacy of transatlantic slavery, including the question of a formal apology, which we, the British government, are open to.'We in Britain are rightly proud of our nation's great history, and true patriotism comes from having the confidence to talk about difficult chapters in our past. 'We are strong enough. We are self-confident enough to have this conversation. The question of a formal apology will be a major part of the dialog we are establishing.'He added: 'Of course, a formal apology would be a significant step, and we think it's right to discuss that properly with the countries and communities most affected. 'And the dialog we're setting up will consider whether and how a formal apology could help acknowledge the history, help heal the division, and support stronger relationships for the future.'We don't believe that financial reparations are the right or feasible answer to transatlantic slavery. We don't think the right response is to ask British taxpayers today to make financial payments for these historic acts. 'We do, however, want to focus on meaningful, practical cooperation, which includes education and cultural exchange, and how we can work together on the mutual issues of climate resilience, development, and economic opportunity.'A Buckingham Palace spokesman has made clear that despite the growing row the King is focused on the main objectives of this year's CHOGM, which starts tomorrow. They said: 'As Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty's contribution is best understood as one of inspiring and convening rather than policy-making: helping bring people together from both the public and private sectors across the whole family of 56 nations, encouraging practical collaboration and creating momentum behind ideas that are now moving through Commonwealth channels. 'In that sense, His Majesty's most significant contribution has been helping to connect leaders, institutions and investors - many of whom he knows personally from his many years of international diplomacy - around shared areas of interest and concern, creating the conditions in which ambitious Commonwealth-led initiatives can emerge and succeed.'They added that the CHOGM agenda is that governments cannot solve today's challenges alone. They said this closely reflects The King's longstanding belief that lasting solutions come from collaboration between governments, business, investors, philanthropy and civil society.The King and Queen did not 'shy away' from the past in Antigua and Barbuda as they acknowledged slavery while touring a museum containing enslavement artefacts.At Government House Museum, Charles peered into a display case that contained ceramic medallions depicting slaves made in support of abolition and a silk parasol.Walking over to the display, Charles pointed and asked: 'Is that an umbrella?'The case also contained slave shackles and a conch shell used by enslaved people to call meetings and summon them to work.They were shown exhibits explaining the histiry of slavery in Antigua and Barbuda - including the Declaration of Emancipation from 30 June 1834.In the rooms at Government House Museum displays on the wall told the stories of 'Sugar and Slavery', 'Emancipation', 'March Towards Freedom', and stories of enslaved people on sugar plantations.Charles also stood by a wall display showing the cross-section of a slave ship that carried emancipated people from Africa to the Caribbean..He also saw a Warri board - a game taken by slaves from Africa and believed to be the world's oldest board game - in the museum.He joked: 'At least it keeps going.'Charles earlier nodded in acknowledgement while he was shown a series of three paintings by a local artist and told it depicted slaves plotting to escape before being captured and put before their masters.Before the trip, Buckingham Palace said they would 'shy away' from the 'darkest days of our past'.And his speech at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Tuesday is expected to be 'unflinchingly honest'.As they left, the King and Queen walked past former slave quarters where emancipated people who worked at Governor's House lived, believed to be the oldest of their kind in the East Caribbean.Cuthbert Forbes, senior assistant to Dame Williams the wife of the Governor-General Sir Rodney William, showed the King and Queen the series of three paintings showing slaves plotting an escape before being caught.The exhibition included artwork by local artists who had the help of two tutors from the Royal Drawing School for six weeksHe said afterwards of the paintings he showed the King: 'This is a story of plotting that whole plan and trying to execute it, brought back.'Being caught and being brought before their master.'He added: 'It's not about confronting them (King and Queen) with slavery.'But including that we have have a bit of our history remains with us, where we are coming from. It's our 45th anniversary of independence.'Telling that story for us as black Caribbean people this story of how far we have come and battles we have fought.'We are standing on the precipice and welcome the Head of State even though we are independent we have that link. And we want to tell that story.'The King and Queen were taken on their tour of the slavery artefacts in the newly renovated museum by Dr Reg Murphy, Secretary General National Commission UNESCO Antigua and Barbuda.He said afterwards: 'I want them (King and Queen) to take away that this is a new developing country, it's a forward looking nation, and we shouldn't be dragging the anchors of our past.'We have one history and one past. It is all about moving forwards.'He added: 'I'm against reparations it's something discussed by politicians attracted to money.'Dr Gabriella Howell, Director of Historical Preservation at Government House and Curator of the Museum, who also showed the Royals around three rooms of slavery artefacts.She said: 'The visit is about understanding the changes in power throughout the history of Antigua and Barbuda.'Explaining the game of Warri, Trevor Simon, 70, a local Warri Grandmaster, said: 'The game was brought over by African descendants; it's a traditional mathematical board game.'Charles and Camilla were earlier greeted to Governors House by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and Dame Williams.And were joined a Community Reception to celebrate charitable organisations, uniformed youth groups and education initiatives in Antigua and Barbuda.The King and Queen also viewed a cooking demonstration by Antiguan Culinary figure, Chef Nigel Joseph - who prepared the traditional Antiguan dish of fungee and pepper pot.The Queen toured stands relating to literacy and and met young brownies and girl guides taking part in a film workshop. 'Do any of you watch Harry Potter?' She asked. 'That's good, isn't it?'She also stopped to chat to players of the traditional board game of Warri, which was historically brought from Africa.'Who is going to beat who?' She asked. Told it wasn't decided yet, she added: 'May the best man win.'The Queen then moved on to speak to girl guides and three charities, including Friends of the Care Project, which looks after children and adults with autism and other disabilities.Aiden Parks-Reed, 10, who has hydrocephalus, swept an arm across his body as he welcomed the royal couple, saying: 'Good morning your Majesties.'The King and Queen also unveiled a plaque at the main entrance of Government House to commemorate its restoration.Work began in 2017 and finished this year.At a new pavilion, alumni of The King's Foundation and students from the College of Advanced Education spoke about conservation and training work at St John's Cathedral, St John's Police Station, Government House and the Heritage Trail.The King met eight graduates of the King's Foundation building craft programme.After returning from their eight-week stay in the UK, where they trained at both Highgrove and Dumfries House, they have built a traditional wooden pavilion for visitors to Government House to wait in. Constructed from sustainably sourced Greenheart wood from Guyana, it was built using traditional methods.Kyla Weaver, one of the participants, said: 'We were lucky enough to be part of the first cohort to go to Scotland with the King's Foundation. We feel gratitude for the opportunity and for the immense hospitality from [the King's] staff and his team.'We took the opportunity and took it to heart and came back and build something as a reminder to our community that we build with concrete now, but this is what we used to do. We want to promote sustainability in construction.'They were bid farewell by members of the public who lined up to shake hands.READ MORE: STEPHEN GLOVER: Burnham's comments on slavery are his most destructive blunder yet. This is a man ill-suited to the world stageREAD MORE: Left-wing MPs heap pressure on Burnham over slavery reparations after he opened door to official apology at Commonwealth summit READ MORE: Antigua's PM welcomes Charles - then says he wants to REMOVE him as head of state, blasts Kemi Badenoch and demands UK pay huge reparations over slavery 'so there isn't a repeat'READ MORE: Campaigner accuses King Charles of 'walking in a crime scene' on his Caribbean tourREAD MORE: Heir force one! King Charles shares rare glimpse onboard luxurious government private jet - which costs £2,000 per hour to runREAD MORE: King Charles arrives in The Bahamas as he kicks off Caribbean tour amid demands from Commonwealth nations for slavery reparations - and monarch 'won't shy away from shameful past'