“In-depth knowledge of the past is essential to understand historical facts and developments and to deal as clearly and honestly as possible with their impact on people and communities,” the king said on Tuesday. “I think it is important that this knowledge also becomes available in relation to the role of the House of Orange-Nassau in colonial history.”
The announcement of the investigation into the role of royalties comes just before the government formally apologizes for slavery. That should happen on December 19.
The king’s ancestors probably owned slaves themselves and were also involved in the transatlantic slave trade through the West India Company, public broadcaster NOS reports. The royal family is also said to have benefited from the flow of money from its former colonial possessions, the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia.
The investigation should take three years and range from the late 16th century to the post-colonial present, the royal family said. Leiden University is conducting the research together with an independent committee.
(SDA)