The King has arrived in Guyana for a two-day state visit that will mark 60 years of British relations with the nation and celebrate its environment, culture and people.

The final destination of the tour will be Antigua and Barbuda which is hosting a major Commonwealth leaders’ summit the King will open in his role as head of the “family of nations”.

Charles travelled to the region in the wake of renewed calls from Caribbean nations for Britain to apologise for its role in selling enslaved people for profit and for reparations.

Guyana’s president said in a recent interview with ITV News, Charles has recognised slavery as the darkest days in human history – but moving to the apology is “the next step”.

Within a few hours of arriving in the Bahamas on Tuesday the King acknowledged the “great suffering of the past” and confirmed the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting would discuss the legacy of slavery.

Among the dignitaries who greeted the King at Cheddi Jagan International Airport near the capital was the Britain’s High Commissioner to the country, Joseph Fisher, and Ed Miliband, following protocol and joining the King on a state visit in his role as Foreign Secretary.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has said Guyana is the world’s fastest-growing economy, and is now the UK’s largest trading partner in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

An FCDO spokesperson has said: “His Majesty the King’s state visit to Guyana comes at an important moment, as Guyana marks 60 years of independence and the UK and Guyana celebrate six decades of close bilateral relations.

“The visit reflects the strength of the modern UK-Guyana partnership, including our close co-operation on trade and investment, climate and nature, and security, and our shared Commonwealth ties and people-to-people links.”

The spokesperson added: “The visit will also recognise Guyana’s global importance on climate and nature.

“With over 85% forest coverage, storing more than 20 billion tonnes of carbon, Guyana is a critical partner in protecting biodiversity while supporting sustainable economic growth.

“Above all, the visit is an opportunity to celebrate Guyana’s rich culture, remarkable achievements and growing role within the Commonwealth, and to show how the UK and Guyana are working together in support of prosperity, opportunity and resilience for future generations.”