A photo of Grenada High Commission delegates and other Caribbean officials posing on Tuesday with the King under a portrait of George IV, the monarch known to have profited personally from enslaved Grenadians in the 19th century, is causing concern in diplomatic and diaspora circles. It is said to be only one of several embarrassing moments from this past week’s Commonwealth Day series of events in London. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/new-research-adds-pressure-british-monarchy-over-historical-ties-slavery-2025-08-07/Baptiste, in conversation with this paper, expressed puzzlement over Tuesday’s diplomatic debacle, asking: “why corral the Grenada group to pose under George IV’s, of all portraits? https://desireebaptiste.com/f/open-letter-to-king-charles-iii-17th-october-2025It illuminated the cruel whippings and torture meted out to the enslaved Grenadians whose unpaid labour benefitted George IV personally. “Enslaved people ran away to escape torture and death-by-overwork on plantations labelled ‘killing fields’ by the eminent historian Sir Hilary Beckles”, Baptiste said.

Source: The Guardian March 14, 2026 19:34 UTC