SAN JUAN – King Charles III arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday as part of a nine-day trip to the Caribbean, facing calls for an apology and reparations related to slavery.
This marks his first official visit to the Bahamas as king, and to celebrate, the government closed all public schools on New Providence Island.
Upon arrival, the Bahamian police and armed forces greeted him in formation, with some officers wearing traditional pith helmets.
Dressed in a light gray suit and sunglasses, Charles met with Governor-General Dame Cynthia A. Pratt and Prime Minister Philip Davis.
He then proceeded to Clifford Park, a place he last visited in 1973 as the Prince of Wales when he helped grant the Bahamas independence from British rule after 300 years.
While Charles was there, members of the Bahamas’ Rastafarian community protested, demanding reparations. “Pay us what you owe us!” one protester shouted, calling for acknowledgment of the injustices faced by Black people throughout history.
Despite the protests, a crowd cheered for the king as he arrived at the park. Young students waved small Bahamian flags, bringing a festive atmosphere ahead of a cultural event featuring singing and music.
In his first public remarks, Charles recognized the complex history of the Bahamas, saying, “We must acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past in these islands and beyond, even as we rejoice in the successes of the present.”
Recently, Jamaica presented its case for reparations to Charles, and the matter has been escalated to the UK’s highest court for review. However, the British government has consistently denied requests for apologies or reparations.
During his stay in the Bahamas, Charles is also expected to visit a nature site and meet with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, as well as government officials and civil society leaders.
Some Bahamians hope that his visit will shed light on ongoing environmental issues, particularly concerning the Exuma cays. Eric Carey, former executive director of the Bahamas National Trust, highlighted the Save Exuma Alliance’s fight against a development project on Sampson Cay that he described as “ill-advised” and potentially harmful to local ecosystems.
Carey emphasized, “Our country is a tourism-based economy, but larger islands could handle larger-scale developments more effectively.” The case is currently with the Bahamas Supreme Court, and Carey hopes King Charles will advocate for environmental awareness.
Charles himself has a strong background in environmental advocacy, often speaking about climate change. During his speech at Clifford Park, he remarked on the unique challenges faced by island nations like the Bahamas, stating, “We cannot escape the fact that the journey ahead contains some treacherous shoals, particularly in an island nation where 90% of the land sits below two meters.”
King Charles is scheduled to spend three days in the Bahamas before heading to Guyana on October 29, where there are also calls for an apology. Following that, he will fly to Antigua and Barbuda on October 30 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where discussions are expected to cover climate, trade, development, and the important topic of slavery reparations.
