British Crown Prince Charles has said during a visit to Rwanda that he regrets the past slavery. In a speech to leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations, the prince called it “the most painful period in our history”.
Charles said in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, that he finds it difficult to put into words “the depths of his personal grief” over slavery’s past. The potential of the Commonwealth, according to Charles, can only be realized if the mistakes that “have shaped our past” are acknowledged.
Charles added that it is up to the nations in the Commonwealth, formerly the British Commonwealth, to decide whether they want to remain a monarchy under Queen Elizabeth or become a republic. “I want to make it clear again that each member decides for himself on his constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy,” he said.
“The advantage of longevity is that I have the experience that these kinds of arrangements can change calmly and without rancor,” concluded the 73-year-old British Crown Prince.
Criticism of the asylum plan
Charles also spoke with British Prime Minister Johnson in Kigali. The two represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the 54 countries of the Commonwealth, headed by Queen Elizabeth.
The conversation between the two came not long after Charles was said to have criticized the Rwanda asylum plan. The UK wants to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to await their asylum procedure there. The future king is said to have called the plan “terrible” in private circles.
The Prime Minister would not say anything about what he had discussed with Charles. He just said it had been a pleasant conversation.
Value for money
Johnson also declined to say whether Rwanda has received the promised £120 million for participating in the controversial asylum plan. However, he said he is convinced that the plan will “provide value for money”.
The Commonwealth leaders’ summit was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the corona pandemic and had not been held for a total of four years.
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