King Charles has visited the site of executions following an uprising by enslaved people in Guyana, as protesters called for reparations and the palace emphasised his willingness to confront Britain’s colonial legacy.

At Independence Park in Georgetown, the King learnt about the Demerara Slave Rebellion of 1823, in which thousands of enslaved people rose up against colonial rule. Accompanied by Culture Minister Steven Jacobs, he was told that hundreds were killed and many survivors were executed close to where he stood.

He paused to read a sign describing the ground’s use as a public execution site. The park is now a sports ground, where dozens of schoolchildren gathered. Charles spoke to them about homework, holidays and whether they had been given a day off school.

Buckingham Palace presented the visit as an opportunity to reflect on Guyana’s history of slavery and resistance, describing the King as “not shying away from the UK's colonial legacy”. At the Commonwealth summit in Rwanda in 2022, Charles said he was continuing to “deepen my own understanding of slavery's enduring impact”.

The visit does not, however, signal a change in Britain’s position on an apology or compensation. In line with the UK government’s stance, the King will neither apologise for Britain’s involvement in the slave trade nor offer reparations during the trip.

Outside a later engagement, a small but noisy group of protesters demanded more than acknowledgement. Placards included “no apology will return what was stolen, reparations now” and “justice must not depend on wealth status and connections”.

Guyanese politician and protester Terrence Campbell argued that Britain’s wealth had been built on slavery and that the British public retained responsibility for reparations because the country had benefited tremendously. Although reparations could take different forms, he said, that did not remove the obligation he believed Britain owed.

Several demonstrations have taken place during the tour, but none has seriously disrupted the King’s programme.

Friday’s engagements also included a meeting at the Commonwealth War Graves in Georgetown with Guyanese veterans who served Britain during the Second World War. Donald Grant, 99, turns 100 on 3 November. James Samuel, 100, described enlisting in the British Guiana Volunteer Force in 1943, aged 19.

At Promenade Gardens, seven pipers from the National Piping Centre, visiting Guyana for a week to learn about its musical traditions, performed alongside Guyanese drummers. The state visit ended with a guard of honour at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where Prime Minister Mark Phillips, British High Commissioner Joseph Fisher and other dignitaries saw the King off.