// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Why the King's Caribbean tour could be 'biggest risk of his reign'
The planning is meticulous and dates back months, sometimes years, but there is always jeopardy.
King Charles III's visit to the Caribbean, which starts on Tuesday, takes him to three countries in nine days: the Bahamas, Guyana and finally Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
It also throws him directly into the heat of the debate over the payment of reparations - compensation from countries that took part in the slave trade - alongside questions of whether the King should be apologising for the UK's role in what he has previously described as an "appalling atrocity" that leaves an "indelible stain" on history.
"This is the biggest risk of his reign so far with so much just outside of his control," said author and historian Sir Anthony Seldon. "Questions about slavery, reparations and apologies mean the moral integrity of the monarchy is being questioned."
The King will make three significant speeches during the Caribbean trip and will follow government advice not to issue an official apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade.
A senior royal aide said that the King would "not shy away from the darkest days of our past" but stressed that decisions over apologies and reparations were matters for government.
The current Burnham administration, like those before it, will not pay reparations.
Buckingham Palace says that acknowledging the wrongs of the past will be built into the King's programme in all three countries.
But apologies, reparations, and republicanism are rich pickings for campaigners and protests are likely.
This is the reality for the King and Buckingham Palace, and they are accepting of it.