LONDON, Nov 4 — King Charles III called the transatlantic slave trade “a monstrous injustice" yesterday opening a Commonwealth summit in which UK leader Andy Burnham is holding talks about apologising for Britain’s role in slavery.

Britain’s head of state told the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda that slavery “still casts a shadow over these islands and other members” of the 56-nation group of mostly former British colonies.

“As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow,” said the king, who is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth.

“And yet history also teaches us that evil need not have the last word; that character and courage can combine to overcome the most monstrous injustice, as they did with the determination to end international trade in enslaved people, in which the Royal Navy played such a leading role.”