Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized for his country’s role in slavery and sought forgiveness in a historic speech, following Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s earlier apology. The speech is part of a broader reckoning with colonial histories prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement.

The king acknowledged the failure to act against the crime and commissioned a study into the royal House of Orange-Nassau’s involvement. Calls for reparations accompanied the apologies, emphasizing the need for tangible action. The Dutch colonial history, including the slave trade, has faced renewed scrutiny, with events marking the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery underway.