Caribbean seeks reparations and questions role of monarchy before King Charles III visits

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The royals are coming, and the Caribbean wants to be heard. Islanders are seeking slavery reparations from Britain, a formal apology for its role in the slave trade and greater independence from the former colonial power. The Bahamas National Reparations Committee said it already knows what awaits the Caribbean as King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare for this week s trip: “Schools emptied of children who will stand in the sun and wave for the Crown that has taken everything from their ancestors and comes back smiling.” Charles is expected to visit the Bahamas on Tuesday to begin the nine-day trip to the Caribbean. His last official visit to the archipelago was in July 1973 as a prince who granted the Bahamas independence, ending 300 years of British rule. But the Bahamas remains a Commonwealth realm, along with six other Caribbean nations that recognize Charles as their king and head of state. While in the Bahamas, Charles is scheduled to visit Cliffo