The Slave Trade, the Royal Family, Colston & the failure of ‘retain & explain’
The Guardian which has been looking at and taking action on the links between its founders and the slave trade has also been inquiring into the links between the Royal Family and the slave trade.
These are extensive but have featured little in Our Island Story. To his credit King Charles 111 has backed research into the links.
Edward Colston features in the Guardian’s research. He gave William 111 £1,000 shares in the Royal Africa Company in 1689 and the King became Governor of the Company.
William and Mary lived in Kensington Palace the home to many Royals down to the present day. The Guardian has found that there is no reference to William and the slave trade to be found on public tours of the building. One black figure formerly described as a servant but later recognised as a slave has been removed.
The Guardian’s research is revealing an important and hitherto obscure area of Our Island Story. It also reflects the problems that those who say such history should be recognised by retaining and explaining it. It has been retained. It has not been explained.
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