King Charles III has used his opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to state that while history cannot be chosen or changed, people can still learn from the past.
The address, which commenced on Sunday, was delivered on Tuesday at the four-day summit, where leaders from 56 member nations, including St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Godwin Friday, gathered under the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.” The meeting also coincided with the 45th anniversary of independence for this year’s host nation Antigua and Barbuda.
Opening his remarks, the king said that it is sobering to think that he attended his first of these meetings almost 30 years ago. Turning his attention to the present venue, he thanked the host nation for its hospitality and for making him feel welcomed.
“It was a particular pleasure to be able to celebrate on Sunday the 45th anniversary of your independence and to honor the achievements of Antiguans and Barbudans in so many fields.”
He said that for one of the smallest nations on earth, their impact in the world is tremendous.
“And I think there is great truth in the saying, small island, big vibes. Ladies and gentlemen, that in four short years we…have met in Kigali, Apia, and now St John’s shows the extraordinary span of the Commonwealth and the diversity it represents.”
He explained that while member countries’ histories, circumstances, and perspectives may differ, together they inspire citizens in their shared endeavours and strengthen them in their common cause.
“Our Commonwealth family has mattered greatly to me for my whole life, and now particularly as King and head of the Commonwealth, to which I have always tried to offer whatever service I can, especially in support of young people, of whom Commonwealth countries can count more than a billion, not to mention the protection of the uniquely important natural environments we each depend upon.”
The King noted that this lifelong commitment is shared by Queen Camilla who is also enthusiastic for their Commonwealth family and all that it represents.
“…Not least through the Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition,” he added.
“None of us, of course, would be here today were it not for our history, which has shaped us in myriad ways.”
He also said that history is not “ours to choose or to change,” but it is “bequeathed to us in complex synthesis by forebears we can never know. Our inheritance includes both their achievements and their failures, the good they did as well as the wrongs.”
He continued that history can be hard to compass, viewed as it is through the prism of time, which he said can be clarifying and distorting.
“And yet its consequences resonate with contemporary force. Our history inspires us, can appall us, yet it can always teach us.”
He added that people cannot change the actions of past generations but can learn from them.
“The transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands and other members of our Commonwealth.”
He said that this “shameful chapter of history” is one that fills his heart with “horror” and his soul with the “most profound personal sorrow.”
Charles explained that history also teaches that evil “need not have the last word” and that character and courage can combine to overcome “the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people,” in which he said the Royal Navy played a leading role.
“The more I have furthered my own understanding of the issues through listening, learning, and looking, the more committed I have become to finding ways for us to work in modern partnership to address the wrongs of the past with action for the future, through improving access to education, investing in jobs and opportunities, encouraging intra-commonwealth trade, and inspiring vital climate resilience measures across the world.”
He said that he always felt that there is much that could be done to help lift up those who struggle against hardship and disadvantage.
“I have always tried to play my part in doing just that, for as any sailor navigating the seas knows, we cannot command the winds, least of all where the winds of yesterday have delivered us, but we can choose how we set our sails.”
He added that the modern Commonwealth of today us not merely a product of the past, instead it is a response to the current world of today.
“Its vocation is more compelling than ever. In fact, in a desperately troubled world, the Commonwealth has welcomed new members who see the unique value of this organisation and have chosen to be part of its future.”