Overview
- The King and Queen hosted a reception at St James's Palace on Wednesday attended by about 300–350 guests to recognise Commonwealth diaspora communities.
- Charles tried playing steel pans during the event, laughing and smiling as he struck notes after meeting Antigua and Barbuda's steelpan musician Khan Cordice.
- Their Majesties and the Duchess of Gloucester met high commissioners, Commonwealth Secretary‑General Shirley Botchwey, actors and cultural figures while supporters of The King's Trust International and the British Asian Trust were present.
- The palace positioned the gathering as a preparatory cultural and charitable engagement ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1–4.
- The reception took place against earlier palace guidance that ministers did not advise a formal state apology or financial reparations for slavery, a context expected to shape discussions at CHOGM.