King Charles joined Andy Burnham and Commonwealth leaders from across the globe, after they sat down for talks on how to attract new investment into Commonwealth markets
King Charles and Andy Burnham at a Commonwealth Business Forum reception (Image: Kin Cheung/Press Association)
The King met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Prime Minister’s comments about Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
The two men were reunited at a Commonwealth Business Forum held at the appropriately named Sticky Wicket, a bar and restaurant alongside a cricket ground. As he arrived, Mr Burnham was asked by journalists whether he had “made things more difficult” for the King.
Replying to ITV News outside the event, he said: “No. We are reaching out and listening. The whole aim here has been to come and listen and bring a new approach to the Commonwealth, and to bring people together.”
He did not respond to a question on whether the King should make a personal apology on behalf of his ancestors.
Charles joined the PM and Commonwealth leaders from across the globe, including Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister Gaston Browne, after they sat down for talks with CEOS and board-level decision makers on how to attract new investment into Commonwealth markets.
He spent a couple of minutes catching up with Mr Burnham inside the pavilion, where the two swapped notes about spending time with Sir Viv Richards. The Prime Minister had come from a cricket event prior to his arrival at tonight’s business forum.
On arrival, the King was greeted by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams, before meeting Lord Marland of Odstock, Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, President and Global Envoy of the Sustainable Markets Initiative.
He had surprised Sir Rodney that morning with a birthday card, as the Governor-General marked his 79th birthday.
Speaking afterwards, Sir Rodney said: “When I met His Majesty this morning, the first thing, he handed me a birthday card, which was very nice indeed. “It said he wanted to congratulate me on my birthday, and it’s nice to be writing to someone who shares the same month.” Charles turns 78 on November 14.
Inside the pavilion, the King spoke with heads of government, Commonwealth leaders, and CEOs to hear the outcome of their summit.
On the field, the King heard from delegates about their work spanning nature, oceans and the blue economy, energy, supply chains and resilient infrastructure, sustainable finance, SMEs, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth and technology for a sustainable future.
The monarch was also presented with a Formula E helmet, carrying the logo of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, a gift from Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E – the first all-electric racing championship.
The presentation took place in front of a special commemorative Formula E race car bearing the flags of all 56 Commonwealth nations, which was showcased at CHOGM to Commonwealth leaders and Heads of Government.
The Summit was hosted by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (the exclusive Sustainability Partner of the CHOGM 2026 Business Forum) in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
