The King has said “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”, in a speech to Commonwealth leaders after the issue of reparations for slavery was raised.
“None of us can change the past,” he told the summit in Samoa, but said leaders can commit to learning from it and “finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure”.
Diplomatic sources have told the BBC a number of Commonwealth heads of government want to start a “meaningful conversation” about whether the UK should pay reparations for its role in the slave trade.
The King, who did not directly address slavery, was speaking at the opening of the biennial summit for the first time as the head of the 56-member group.
He said that members of the Commonwealth “know and understand each other such that we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect”.
“Our cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from,” he said.
“I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.
“It is vital therefore that we understand our history to guide us to make the right choices in the future.”
There have been growing calls from Commonwealth leaders for the UK to apologise and make reparations.
Ahead of the summit, Downing Street insisted the issue of reparations would not be on the agenda.
However, several Commonwealth leaders – particularly those from Caribbean countries – are expected to defy the UK and hold discussions on how they can secure reparatory justice.
As well as financial reparations, reparatory justice can come in several forms, including debt relief, an official apology, educational programmes, building museums, economic support, and public health assistance. [BBC News]