King Charles III of Britain is backing research into the historical connections between the British monarchy and the transatlantic slave trade, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
The palace announced that, as Charles's coronation approaches next month, academics will receive increased access to royal archives. The monarch is said to take the issue "profoundly seriously."
King James II, a predecessor of Charles from the 17th century, was the largest investor in the Royal African Company, which played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade.
At a Commonwealth leaders' meeting last year, Charles emphasized that acknowledging past wrongs is necessary for unlocking "the power of our common future." However, no apology was offered for the royal family's participation in the enslavement and sale of human beings for profit.
A palace spokesperson stated that since ascending the throne following Queen Elizabeth II's passing, Charles has vigorously and determinedly continued his commitment to deepening his understanding of the effects of slavery.
King James II, dethroned in 1688, was not the only royal figure involved in the slave trade. The Guardian newspaper reported that previously unpublished documents revealed that in 1689, Royal African Company shares worth £1,000 were transferred to King William III from slave trader Edward Colston.
Colston became a focal point of intense debate in June 2020 when his statue in Bristol was toppled by protesters.
Charles is set to be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6. Prince Harry and Meghan, Charles's younger son and daughter-in-law, have not yet confirmed their attendance.
The couple, who stepped away from royal duties, accused the royal family of racism in a 2021 interview with talk show host Oprah Winfrey. In response, Prince William, Harry's brother, vehemently declared, "We are very much not a racist family."