King Charles has indicated his support for research into the British monarchy’s ties to slavery after a document revealed an ancestor with shares in a slave-trading company.

Charles takes the issue “profoundly seriously” and academics will be given access to the royal collection and archives, according to a media release provided by Buckingham Palace.

The statement was in response to an article in a British newspaper that revealed a document showing that the deputy governor of the slave-trading Royal African Company transferred 1,000 pounds of shares in the business to King William III in 1689.

Charles and his eldest son, Prince William, have expressed their sorrow over slavery but haven’t acknowledged the crown’s connections to the trade.

Charles, 74, ascended to the throne last year after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth at the age of 96 last September. His coronation is scheduled for May 6.

While he has been invited, it’s still uncertain as to whether his son Harry will be in attendance.