King told to apologise for colonisation
Sky News says Campaigners from 12 Commonwealth countries have called on the King to formally apologise for the “horrific” impacts and legacy of “genocide and colonisation”.
Representatives from Australia, New Zealand and Canada are among those who have signed the letter which asks the King to return stolen artifacts and bodily remains, and to begin discussing reparations.
Among the signatories is Australian senator Lidia Thorpe, who said the monarchy should begin “repairing the damage of colonisation”.
She said: “The British monarchy oversaw the oppression of First Nations peoples in British colonies all over the world.
“The horrific impacts of British colonisation, including the genocide of our people, theft of our land and denigration of our culture, are still felt today.
“The genocidal project that commenced in 1788 still continues, and neither the British Crown nor the Australian Government have been held to account for the crimes they have committed.”
The King expressed support in April for research into the historical links between the British monarchy and the transatlantic slave trade.
Buckingham Palace said Charles takes the issues “profoundly seriously” and the royal household will help with the academic project by offering access to the Royal Collection and the Royal Archives.
The letter has reportedly been signed by representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, New Zealand, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.