What type of colony was directly controlled by the king's government?

Royal colonies were directly controlled by the king's government, which means that the monarchy appointed a governor who was responsible for enforcing laws and overseeing the administration of the colony. These colonies operated under the authority of the crown, which had the power to dissolve local assemblies and assert its authority over local governance. This type of colony was established to ensure that the government had direct control over colonial affairs, particularly after experiences of instability or unrest that arose in earlier forms of colonies, such as corporate or proprietary colonies.

Corporate colonies, on the other hand, were typically established by a group of investors or a company that sought to profit from their new settlement, while proprietary colonies were granted to individuals or groups by the crown, who then held significant power over the administration of the land and its governance. Charter colonies operated with a degree of self-governance granted through a charter, which allowed them significant autonomy compared to royal colonies. Therefore, the designation of a royal colony underscores its direct governance by the king and the implications that brought for colonial administration and authority.