Both the words and the actions of King Charles III, who is only a year into his reign, are accused of having fanned the flames of the movement for slavery reparations.
More than two centuries after the slave trade in the British Empire was abolished, the king has drawn attention to this somehow increasingly sensitive issue, perhaps most significantly by signalling his explicit support for research into the monarchy’s slavery ties. On this topic, a spokesman from Buckingham Palace earlier this year said:
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.”
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.
The royal palace’s archives have been opened up in order to support those conducting this research.
Through these measures, King Charles has been accused of opening the door for slavery reparations. He has, according to journalist Petronella Wyatt, made a “terrible mistake” by highlighting the “personal sorrow” suffered by slaves at the hands of the Royal Family.
It is not as though discussion on this topic would come to an end were it not for the king’s pronouncements. Barely a week goes by now without some mention in the British press of demands for slavery reparations. This is only likely to intensify over the coming months as Caribbean nations make formal demands of £26.5 trillion—that is, €30 trillion—from Western European countries for their historic roles in the transatlantic slave trade.
But the interjections from the king, whom Ms. Wyatt has accused of “setting a precedent,” could at the very least add clout to the arguments in favour of reparations; reparations that a UN judge recently also suggested Britain owes. The journalist added that if payments are ever made by the Royal Family, “I shall become a republican.”