King of Netherlands Willem-Alexander apologizes for the country’s historic role in slavery

The King of the Netherlands on Saturday, July 1, formally apologized for his country’s role in the slave trade, saying he felt “personally & intensely” affected.

Willem-Alexander made the apology in a speech in Amsterdam at an annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Suriname & the Netherlands’ Caribbean colonies.

The country became a major colonial power after the 17th Century, holding territories across the globe & Dutch slave traders tr1fficked more than 600,000 people, BBC reports.

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“Slave trading is recognized as a crime against humanity. The monarchs & rulers of the House of Orange took no steps against it.

Today I’m standing here in front of you as your King and as part of the government.

Today I am apologising myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul. Today, I am asking for forgiveness for the crystal-clear lack of action,” he said.