A recent visit by the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Indonesia was the first by Dutch royals in a quarter of a century. More significant, however, was King Willem-Alexander's direct and unreserved apology for the violent excesses of his country's four-year struggle to reimpose colonial rule in the former Dutch East Indies after the Second World War.
Opinion
Dutch king's visit to Indonesia shows why apologies matter
Royal words should trigger wider review of imperial and post-colonial violence
King Willem-Alexander walks with Joko Widodo during the welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Bogor on Mar. 10: other former colonial powers should follow the Dutch King's example. © Pool Photo/AP
Read Next
Latest on Opinion
