King Charles Signals Support for Research Into British Royal Family's Ties to Transatlantic Slavery
King Charles is supporting research into the monarchy’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The Guardian first reported that the King is supporting a new research project co-sponsored by Historic Royal Palaces and Manchester University. The comment from Buckingham Palace is thought to be the first time the royals have publicly stated they support research into this history.
"This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously," a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told the Guardian. "As His Majesty told the Commonwealth heads of government reception in Rwanda last year: 'I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.'"
The spokesperson continued: "That process has continued with vigour and determination since His Majesty’s accession. Historic Royal Palaces is a partner in an independent research project, which began in October last year, that is exploring, among other issues, the links between the British monarchy and the transatlantic slave trade during the late 17th and 18th centuries. As part of that drive, the royal household is supporting this research through access to the royal collection and the royal archives."
The comment is in response to a Guardian article that revealed a 1689 document showing a transfer of shares in the Royal African Company, a British slave-trading company, to King William III, who reigned over the UK from 1689 to 1702. Buckingham Palace, however, did not comment on the document.
Like King Charles, Prince William, too, expressed his "profound sorrow" over slavery while he visited Jamaica last year. "I strongly agree with my father, the Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history. I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent, And it should never have happened," he said.
William is referring to Charles's comments during a ceremony celebrating Barbados becoming a republic, wherein he referred to "the darkest days of our past and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history."
Per the Associated Press, the research into the monarchy's links with slavery is expected to be completed in 2026.
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