King Charles, for the first time, has indicated his full support for research into the Royal Family's historical links with slavery. The statement comes after the Guardian released documents showing his predecessor’s stake in a slave-trading company.
The document the 1689 transfer of £1,000 ($1,246) of shares from Edward Colston, deputy governor of a slave-trading Royal African Company to King William III.
While Buckingham Palace did not comment on the said document, it extended support to the research co-sponsored by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), which manages several palaces.
A spokesperson for the palace told the Guardian, “This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously. 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 palace is supporting the research by giving researchers access to the royal collection and the royal archives.
