King Willem-Alexander will not apologize for the slavery past on July 1. Although some people hope that not only the government, but also the king himself will apologize for the slavery past, Willem-Alexander seems to rule out this happening. In conversation with NU.nl, he says that it remains with the government’s apologies and his presence at Ketikoti, the national commemoration of slavery.
The king is part of the government. He drew up the apologies, so they were also drawn up on his behalf, he says during the conversation on Sint Maarten. But various slavery organizations believe that the expression of regret should also come from Willem-Alexander’s mouth. That symbolic gesture will not happen.
The apologies were drawn up by the government and that was done deliberately, says the king. There will be another symbolic gesture: he will be present at Ketikoti on July 1, 2023. On this day, the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Antilles is commemorated and celebrated.
The king understands that there is a need for a symbolic gesture, as it becomes clear when NU.nl asks further. But it will only remain with that understanding.
Amalia talked to descendants of enslaved people
Willem-Alexander says that slavery is “a crime against humanity that must be recognized so that we come to terms”. He emphasizes in the conversation that it is important that everyone in the Netherlands can live freely. So also the residents of the Caribbean islands, whom the king visited in recent weeks together with Queen Máxima and Princess Amalia.
Princess Amalia says in the closing conversation that the slavery past is a subject in which she and her family are very interested. According to the heir to the throne, it was “made tangible and close by” during her introductory visit. She also likes that she was able to speak very personally with the descendants of enslaved people. This touched her “deeply and personally”, according to Amalia.
On an island like Sint Maarten, people still suffer from discrimination and “everyone has to work on that”, the king adds.
