Giving a break to the coronation hype, there is a new development at Buckingham Palace. While King Charles and the Queen Consort are all geared up for the crowning ceremony, an esteemed publication has broken some stirring revelations about the monarchy. Ever since the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and her claims of racism have put the royal family under the spotlight, the palace has denied the claims. Now ahead of the impending coronation, the palace is back in the news for its past ties with slavery.

It seems like the British royal family’s past will never stop haunting the palace. However, it is for the first time that the Palace has signaled exclusive support for research upon a dreaded discovery. As put before the world by Guardian in its Cost of Crown mission series, age-old archives have dug further into the royal family’s ties with slavery.

The publication reveals slave trading between the royal family and Africa 

An independent study by eminent historian Brooke Newman has pointed out a predecessor’s stake in a slave-trading company. Published by Guardian, the 16th-century document disclosed a transfer of €1000 of shares in the transatlantic Royal African Company to King William III from Edward Colston. For the unversed, Colston is known as one of the most notorious slave traders in England’s history. The English merchant and his company ruled a monopoly, filling the air with apprehension for people of color in corners of the world.

In simple terms, historic transactions have evidently taken place between Kensington Palace, the current residence of Prince and Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton and Prince William, and Colston’s Slave trade company in Africa. The unearthed remnants of one of the darkest chapters in royal history have thus sparked trenchant controversies.

Buckingham Palace grants open access to archives, supporting the investigation

Post disclosure, the palace refrained from making any comments but has invited an open investigation into the archives without any hindrance. Palace spokesperson, as exclusively claimed by the outlet, has affirmed, “This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously,” and that the royal household “is supporting this research through access to the royal collection and the royal archives.”

The University of Manchester, in association with HRP, Historic Royal Palace, is currently vested with the investigation of the entire dispute. Any further updates will probably reach us in due time.

This update comes ahead of King Charles’ coronation, to be held next month, marking the first such event in around 75 years. Based on his recent moves, the new monarch seems to be heading a major change within the royal fold. However, we are yet to see how this research and its sanction will play into it.

What is your take on the matter?