Commonwealth natives call on the UK King to denounce colonial past
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In a letter signed by the representatives of 12 commonwealth countries, campaigners for reparations called on King Charles to redistribute the wealth which the crown has garnered from plundering the resources and enslaving the people of these countries.
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Prince Charles is seated next to the Queen's crown at the Palace of Westminster in London, May 10, 2022 (AP)
A few days before King Charles III's coronation, campaigners for republic and reparations movements in 12 different commonwealth countries (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) have sponsored a letter demanding of the new king “a formal apology and for a process of reparatory justice to commence”.
“We, the undersigned, call on the British Monarch, King Charles III, on the date of his coronation being May 6, 2023, to acknowledge the horrific impacts on and legacy of genocide and colonisation of the Indigenous and enslaved peoples,” the letter reads.
The letter also reminds King Charles of his promise to the commonwealth leaders back in June 2022 when had said that it was in due time that the British Empire's colonial past be acknowledged.
In addition to the acknowledgment of Britain's colonial legacy and its enduring effects, the letter demands adequate reparations and compensations by redistributing the wealth which the crown has garnered from plundering the resources and enslaving the people of these countries.
Read more: King Charles III's coronation: an explainer
Sky News reported on Wednesday, citing one of the organizers for the antimonarchist movement Republic, that at least 1,600 antimonarchists are preparing a protest to be held on the day of Charles III in London.
The report noted that protesters are planning to follow the coronation route while holding banners and changing antimonarchy slogans such as "Abolish the monarchy" and "Not my king".
According to estimates, the coronation is expected to cost a staggering 250 million pounds ($314 million).
Others have estimated that the coronation may cost between 50-100 million pounds of UK taxpayers' money, the Evening Standard reported last month.
Read more: 51% of Brits oppose funding King Charles III, Camilla's coronation
