In a landmark moment for historical reckoning, an 86-year-old French man has delivered what is believed to be the first formal apology by an individual in France for their family's role in transatlantic slavery. Pierre Guillon de Prince, whose ancestors were shipowners based in Nantes, France's largest port for the slave trade, expressed deep remorse for their actions, which included transporting approximately 4,500 enslaved Africans and owning plantations in the Caribbean.
A Courageous Act of Responsibility
Guillon de Prince emphasized the urgency of confronting historical allegiances to slavery, stating that other French families must not shy away from this difficult past. He called on the state to move beyond symbolic gestures and address the legacy of slavery through concrete measures, including reparations. "Faced with the rise of racism in our society, I felt a responsibility not to let this past be erased," he declared during a gathering in Nantes.
Solidarity with Descendants of Enslaved People
The apology was delivered alongside Dieudonné Boutrin, a 61-year-old descendant of enslaved people from Martinique. Both men work together at the Coque Nomade Fraternité, an association dedicated to "breaking the silence" around slavery. Boutrin praised Guillon de Prince's courage, noting that many families of slave traders hesitate to speak out for fear of reopening old wounds. The event also marked the inauguration of an 18-metre replica ship mast, described as a "beacon of humanity" to commemorate the victims of slavery.
France's Historical Context and Global Comparisons
From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were forcibly transported, with France trafficking an estimated 1.3 million people. While France recognized transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001, it has never formally apologized for its role. President Emmanuel Macron has taken steps to expand access to archives on France's colonial past and proposed a commission to examine the country's history with Haiti, though reparations were not mentioned.
In March, France abstained from a United Nations resolution, proposed by Ghana, that declared slavery the "gravest crime against humanity" and called for reparations. This highlights ongoing debates about accountability and justice in addressing historical injustices.
International Apologies and Legacies
Globally, other institutions have also issued apologies for their connections to slavery. In 2025, Lloyd's Register, a maritime and industrial group, apologized for its role in trafficking enslaved Africans, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging this legacy. Similarly, the Bank of England apologized in 2020 for the involvement of some former governors and directors in the slave trade, pledging to remove related statues and paintings from public display.
The British government paid £20 million in compensation to former slave owners in the 19th century, a debt only fully repaid in 2015. These actions underscore the complex and lasting impacts of slavery, with calls for reparations and historical education continuing to resonate today.
Guillon de Prince's apology serves as a powerful reminder of the need for collective memory and action in addressing the deep wounds of transatlantic slavery, urging society to learn from the past to build a more just future.
