King Charles III started a nine-day tour of the Caribbean to visit several nations and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The monarch visited the Bahamas, where he met with Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis and Governor General Dame Cynthia A. Pratt.
During the visit, the King inspected a guard of honour from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and attended a youth rally at Clifford Park. The King previously attended independence celebrations for the Bahamas in 1973 while serving as Prince of Wales.
At the youth rally, a group of around 12 protestors gathered to express their views. Sharon Purcer-Cooper stated, "He's a man of influence. The Crown still has influence. And if they do not do it then we will become a republic and we will turn our backs on England if you do not show respect to the former colonies."
One student remarked, "It's my first time seeing him in person out of TikTok so he's out there, it's cool." The King will continue his itinerary with visits to Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda, where Queen Camilla will join him.
The biennial summit will host leaders from 56 Commonwealth countries, where the King will discuss the region's legacy of slavery. Buckingham Palace stated the tour will include visits to memorials and other places of reflection and remembrance.
King Charles III said, "our world cries out for healing" and urged people to "take up the sacred task to play your part." The monarch also spoke of the "great suffering of the past" and noted that the current situation was "born out of darkness" and that change is "only right."
