02.11.2026 16:10
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne demanded reparations from Britain for the slave trade during King Charles and Queen Camilla's Caribbean visit and called for severing ties with the British monarchy and becoming a republic.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne called on Britain to pay reparations for slavery during King Charles and Queen Camilla's Caribbean visit. Arguing that Britain derived great wealth from the slave trade that took place in the Caribbean in the past, Browne said what was done cannot be left uncompensated. The prime minister also announced that he wanted Antigua and Barbuda to break its ties with the British monarchy and become a republic.
Gaston Browne attended a church service with King Charles and Queen Camilla on Sunday. The British royal couple are in the Caribbean for events held as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
However, one of the issues raised during the visit was Britain taking responsibility for its past slave trade. Speaking to ITV News, Browne said he understood that accepting the issue of reparations could be difficult due to political conditions in Britain, but that this did not eliminate the need for compensation.
Emphasizing that some form of material compensation must be provided for the slave trade, the prime minister said, "If reparations are not paid, such atrocities are likely to happen again in the future. When you look at what is happening in the world today, you can already see examples of this."
Saying that Britain benefited from the wealth that emerged as a result of the suffering in the Caribbean, Browne stated that past wrongs must be acknowledged and compensation provided in return.
"You cannot benefit from the wealth obtained as a result of the atrocities in the Caribbean on the one hand and ignore responsibility for it on the other," Browne said, arguing that Britain must acknowledge past events.
He pointed to Britain's aid budget for reparations
Browne also claimed that Caribbean countries are not making demands so large that Britain cannot meet them. The prime minister suggested that reparations payable for the slave trade could be covered by Britain's overseas development aid budget.
The issue of Britain officially apologizing and paying reparations for the slave trade had also caused debate before King Charles's Caribbean visit. In Britain, Labour's Andy Burnham saying he was open to the idea of an official apology for the slave trade brought the debate back onto the agenda.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, however, had argued that Britain should not pay reparations for the slave trade. Browne reacted sharply to Badenoch's statements and said he found her stance wrong.
The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda said, "I think she is wrong. And perhaps that is why she is the opposition leader and not the prime minister."
When asked whether Badenoch should change her view, Browne said it was her own decision, but that Caribbean countries did not share her views. Describing the slave trade as one of the most serious crimes committed against humanity, the prime minister stated that an apology and compensation should be provided for these crimes.
Antigua and Barbuda wants to leave the monarchy
Gaston Browne also announced that, in addition to seeking reparations from Britain, he believed his country should end its ties with the British monarchy and become a republic.
Stating that he wanted a local head of state to replace King Charles, who is the head of state of Antigua and Barbuda, Browne said his personal view was that his country should become a republic.
The prime minister said, "I am a republican. If you ask my personal opinion, I would like Antigua and Barbuda to become a republic."
However, Browne acknowledged that the final decision on the country's future belongs to the people. For Antigua and Barbuda to end its ties with the monarchy and become a republic, a constitutional amendment must receive the support of more than two-thirds of voters.
Browne also emphasized that, despite his republican view, he would continue to show respect to King Charles while in office. "I serve the King, and he will continue to receive all courtesy and respect as our king," he said.
King Charles also met with Browne on Sunday at a friendly cricket event held at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The King and Queen Camilla's Caribbean visit is taking place as part of the Commonwealth summit. Calls were also made at the meeting for small countries in the region to have more say within the Commonwealth.
Caribbean countries welcomed Britain's openness to discussions on an apology for the slave trade. However, the issue of paying material reparations remains one of the most important disputes between the parties.