Buckingham Palace has announced its collaboration with an independent study investigating the British monarchy's ties to the slave trade in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Palace emphasized that King Charles regards the issue with deep concern.
The University of Manchester, in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, is conducting the research. The Palace is providing the researchers with full access to the Royal Archives and the Royal Collection.
Historian Camilla de Koning's PhD project is slated for completion in 2026. Both King Charles and the Prince of Wales have previously conveyed their personal regret for the suffering caused by the slave trade. During a visit to Rwanda last year, King Charles expressed his profound sorrow for the pain inflicted by the slave trade. Likewise, Prince William, while in Jamaica last spring, declared slavery abhorrent, stating that it "should never have happened" and "forever stains our history."
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that the King intends to continue his commitment to deepening his understanding of slavery's impact with "vigour and determination" since his accession. They added, "This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously. Given the complexities of the issues, it is important to explore them as thoroughly as possible."
In response to the Guardian's publication of an unseen document detailing the 1689 transfer of shares in the slave-trading Royal African Company from slave trader and deputy governor Edward Colston to King William III, the Palace issued a statement. King Charles also acknowledged that each Commonwealth country should decide whether to be a constitutional monarchy or a republic. He recognized that the roots of the Commonwealth organization "run deep into the most painful period of our history" and that it was time for a conversation to address past wrongs.
Currently, King Charles is the head of state for 14 Commonwealth Realms besides the UK. PhD student de Koning noted that "the royals are often overlooked when it comes to influence." She aims to demonstrate that there are many more connections between the monarchy and colonialism than have been investigated or acknowledged. Dr. Edmond Smith, who is supervising de Koning's project, said that the crown has "often been left out of discussions" on the transatlantic slave trade, and the research is filling an "important hole."
The PhD study, co-sponsored by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), began in October, a month after King Charles ascended the throne. The study will investigate the extent of investments from other slave trading companies.
