A comprehensive historical study has concluded that the Dutch royal house, the House of Orange-Nassau, actively supported Dutch colonialism for centuries and played a role in the survival of the slave trade.

The three-year investigation, commissioned by King Willem-Alexander and conducted by Leiden University, examined the period from 1600 to the present day. The findings, published on Friday, indicate that while the royal house "actively supported Dutch colonialism for centuries, but only rarely determined colonial policy," their involvement was "wholehearted and without any real reservations."

Historians and human rights experts involved in the research stated, "The research leaves us in no doubt that the House of Orange shares responsibility for the survival over the centuries of the Dutch slave trade and slavery." The study noted that most Dutch rulers of the era showed no objections to the practice of slavery.

King Willem-Alexander acknowledged the study's "explicit" and "painful and confronting" conclusions, stating he was personally affected despite being removed by three generations. He recognized that the "effects of colonialism and slavery are still being felt today," citing ongoing discrimination and economic exploitation.

The study also detailed that the royal family profited substantially from the colonial system, particularly through trade in the Dutch East Indies, now modern-day Indonesia. Researchers estimated that profits accumulated to approximately $650 million in modern terms during the 19th century alone. However, the research indicated that the royal family earned "almost nothing" directly from the slave trade itself.

This report follows King Willem-Alexander's 2023 apology for his ancestors' inaction regarding slavery. The King highlighted the lack of "counter-current leadership" from the House of Orange in the face of colonial policies.

The House of Orange has held influence in the Netherlands since the late 16th century, initially as stadtholders and later as the monarchy. During much of this period, the Netherlands maintained extensive colonies, primarily in Southeast Asia.

The study's findings prompt further discussion on reparations and the lasting impact of colonial history, a topic that continues to be a significant point of reflection for the Netherlands and its former colonial territories.