King Charles supports study into Royal Family slavery links

Buckingham Palace says it is cooperating with an independent inquiry into the relationship between the British monarchy and the slave trade in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The palace said King Charles is taking the matter “very seriously”.

The research is being conducted by the University of Manchester and the historic Royal Palace.

Buckingham Palace grants researchers full access to the Royal Archives and Royal Collections.

The research is a doctoral project by historian Camila de Koening and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Both the King and Prince of Wales have expressed their personal sorrow at the suffering caused by the slave trade.

During a visit to Rwanda last year, the king said he could not explain “the depth of his personal grief” over the suffering caused by the slave trade.

Prince William, who visited Jamaica last spring, said slavery was an abomination and said it “never should have happened” and would “taint our history forever.”

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the king wants to continue his pledge to advance understanding of the effects of slavery with “vigor and determination” since taking the throne.

They continued: “This is a matter that His Majesty takes deeply seriously.”

“Given the complexity of the issue, it is important to investigate it as thoroughly as possible.”

The Guardian has unpublished documents showing that in 1689 shares in the slave trader Royal African Company were transferred from Edward Colston (slave trader and vice-president of the company) to William III. In response to the announcement, the palace issued a statement.

The King also said Commonwealth countries should decide for themselves whether they should be constitutional monarchies or republics.

He said he recognizes that the federal organization’s roots are “deeply involved in the most painful times in our history,” and admitting past mistakes is a “conversation whose time has come.” Said there was.

There are currently 14 Commonwealth Realms in addition to Great Britain, where the King is the head of state.

“It’s great to see Prince Charles building on his mother’s legacy,” Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a racial equality think tank, told the BBC. rice field.

She said it was “incredibly encouraging” to see the monarchy gradually getting involved on the issue over the injustices of slavery.

Dr Begum continued, “The next step could be a Royal Commission to Uncover the Complex History of Colonialism,” adding, “The millions of British citizens, and of course citizens of the Commonwealth, It will really inspire me,” he said.

The palace’s announcement came as the king took part in the centuries-old Easter tradition known as Holy Thursday for the first time since he became monarch.

“Royalty is often overlooked when it comes to influence,” says de Conning, a PhD student.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, she said: “While they appear to be just imposing orders, they are in fact very involved diplomats.

“I want to change that view. Turn it upside down because you’ll see that there are far more connections between colonies and monarchs than have ever been explored or noted. can do.”

Dr. Edmund Smith, who is overseeing Mr. de Conning’s project, said the crown “often remains left out of the debate” on the transatlantic slave trade, adding that it “is an important hole that needs to be filled through research.” ‘ said.

“We can only hope that how the royal family takes up that research will develop over the next few years,” he added.

The PhD studies are co-sponsored by the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), which manages several sites.

It began in October, a month after the king ascended the throne.

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