African Royalties

His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen Masenate were in Italy on October 28th 2019 where they held meetings at the Food and Agriculture Organizations HeadQuarters.

His Majesty King Letsie III meeting with #FAO Director General Dr Qu Donghu in Rome, Italy 28 Oct 2019. HM is the FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition. pic.twitter.com/AGQNRmLRw8

— Foreign Affairs Lesotho (@ForeignLesotho) October 29, 2019

His Majesty who is the FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition and Her Majesty met with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu to discuss ways to further collaborate on nutrition-sensitive issues in developing countries.

You can read more of Their Majesties' visit here: http://www.fao.org/director-general/news/news-article/en/c/1242190/

Today royals from around the world accepted the invitation from the Imperial Household Agency to attend His Imperial Majesty Emperor Naruhito's and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Masako's enthronement ceremony at Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Royals and dignitaries come out in force for the #Enthronement of the new Japanese Emperor pic.twitter.com/vKjpIQftsC

— Chris Jackson (@ChrisJack_Getty) October 22, 2019

Today's event began with which marked His Imperial Majesty who ascended in May being officially enthroned as the 126th Emperor on the Chrysanthemum Throne began with a series of ceremonies. First we had the ritual reporting where H.I.M wearing the traditional white Sokutai robes and Her Imperial Majesty came dressed in many-layered Jūnihitoe robes made traditional rites and performed the proclamation of his ascension to the throne, bowed and read aloud his statement in front of Amaterasu(The Sun Goddess) who is the legendary Imperial ancestor. The reporting was done at the Kashiko-dokoro, which is one of three sanctuaries, which houses the statue of Amaterasu.

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After the rituals, Their Imperial Majesties proceeded to Seiden-Matsu-no-Ma(State room) were then joined by members of the Imperial family. While there Their Imperial Majesties dressed in full imperial dressed ascended their thrones, with The Emperor on the Takamikura Imperial Throne reading his statement declaring his ascension, and The Empress on to the Michodai Emperial Throne. During this time all imperial objects: the Sacred Objects, Kusanagi(sword), Yasakani no Magatami(the jewel), and State and Privy Seals were laid on a table. Following The Emperor's speech, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a speech
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His Majesty King Letsie III accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Masenate, His Majesty King Mswati III accompanied by Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaMashwama were sitting next together with His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid who was representing His Majesty King Mohammed VI  sitting behind.

But I do wonder about the seating plan of the royals in the first rows. Some Kings and Queens on the second row, while crown princes (from longer reigning monarchies?) are in the front row. pic.twitter.com/QfHQ1FGXSn

— NettyRoyal (@nettyroyal) October 22, 2019

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In the evening, Our African royals joined other world royalties attending the enthronement banquet hosted by the Imperial Sovereign couples

This year's General Assembly week will be a royal studded event with many of our African royalties in town.

Hosted at the United Nations HeadQuarters in New York and usually beginning on the third Tuesday of September, this year's summit began with a special Climate Action summit on September 23rd, before the formal speeches given by heads of state and governments on Tuesday that normally draw the most attention.

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, attended the United Nations Climate Action Summit on behalf of HM King Mohammed VI and as well addressed the assembly. Her Royal Highness is the president of King Mohammed VI Foundation for the protection of the environment.

Also attending the summit in his capacity as the UN sustainable Development Goals ( SDG) advocates was His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano. His Highness also attended the UN Advocate Reception in UN Headquarter in New York September, 22nd 2019 following a meeting which were called upon by the UN Secretary General Antonio Gutterres. His Highness is not the only royal advocate attending there is Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza of Qatar.

His Majesty Bayethe Mswati III of Eswatini is also in town. His Majesty is accompanied by Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaNtentesa and the royal princes and princesses. His Majesty will be addressing the General Assembly on Wednesday September 25th, in the morning.

Although not confirmed or knowned, His Majesty King Letsie III may be attending this year's assembly. Lesotho is set to addressed the assembly on Friday in the morning

His Majesty King Letsie III accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Masenate of the Kingdom of Lesotho were recently visiting the Kingdom of Thailand and attended various events.

สมเด็จพระกนิษฐาธิราชเจ้า กรมสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี พระราชทานเพลิงศพ หม่อมราชวงศ์กิติวัฒนา ไชยันต์

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn with HM King Letsie III and HM Queen Masenate of Lesotho attended the cremation of Mom Rajawongse Kitiwatana Jayanta pic.twitter.com/vrgfMF4DHt

— พระราชวงศ์ (@ThaiRoyalFamily) September 9, 2019

On the occasion of his 56th birthday, His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho presented awards and decoration to 542 members of the Kingdom's Defence Force (LDF), Mounted Police Service (LMPS),  Correctional Services (LCS) and Civilians at a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Maseru on July 11th.

According to the government's website, the bestowed medals were that for meritorious service, gallantry, subordinate, outstanding service as well as loyal and long service of 10, 28, 25 and 30 years.

Civilians who received it, also received awards in the categories of health, initiation, education and entrepreneurship among others.

Big Kingdom bash/King's Day: 

Like in most monarchies around the world, the big 2019 National King’s Birthday celebration will be held at Sebapala in Quthing today on July 17th

A happy birthday to His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Today lets celebrate the 56th birthday of His Majesty and another year to celebrate his tireless dedication to enhancing Lesotho's social development, education, youth, girls both locally and internationally

His Majesty was born as Mohato Bereng Seeiso to His Majesty the late King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho and Her Majesty the late Queen(mother) Mamohato Bereng Seeiso (née Princess Tabita ‘Masentle Lerotholi Mojela). Upon his christening in the catholic church he took the name of David.

His Majesty is the oldest of 3 children. His siblings are Their Royal Highnesses Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso (born 1966) and Princess Constance Christina Maseeiso (1969-1994).

Education: 
He began his primary education at Iketsetseng Private School in Maseru(the Kingdom's capital city) in 1968.  At the end of his primary education, he spend 4 years of preparatory education at St Martin’s Ampleforth in Yorkshire, England in 1973. The school is Roman Catholic independent preparatory school run by the Benedictine Order.

He then followed in his father's footstep by attending his father’s alma mater, Ampleforth College in 1977 and completed his secondary education in 1980.

From 1980 to 1984 the then Crown Prince returned to the Kingdom where he attended the National University of Lesotho and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in law.

From 1984 and 1986 he did a Diploma in English Legal Studies at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. After which in 1989, he studied studied Development Studies at the University of Cambridge. In the same year, he was enrolled with Wye College of the University of London where he studied agricultural economics.

Reign:
His father's reign had seen a number of turbulence while he was still young, with King Moshoeshoe II's power being limited, then suspended and exiled under Prime Minister Lebua Jonathan, then reinstated by the same prime minister. He was installed as the Principal Chief of Matsieng(a district) on December 16th 1989.

Under a government's prerogative, His Majesty took oath of the Office of the King in 1990, when His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II was deposed. He took the name Letsie III in honor of King Letsie I, the eldest son of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation.

After reigning for 5 years he abdicated and his father was briefly restored in 1995 but died in a car accident in the early 1996. A month after his death his wife Her Majesty Queen mother Momahato acted as regent

With that King Letsie took the oath of the Office of the king again. Just like in the United Kingdom, His Majesty King Letsie is a constitutional monarch and so his duties are mostly ceremonial.


Marriage/Family life:


On October 23rd 1999, the palace announced that His Majesty King Letsie was engaged to the then Anna Karabo Mots’oeneng now Her Majesty Queen Masenate whom he meet prior while she had graduated from high school.

On February 18th 2000, they were joined in holy matrimony held at the national sports stadium with a crowd of 40,000 people watching. Maseru’s Roman Catholic Archbishop Bernard Mohlalisi officiated at the ceremony.

They have been blessed with two daughters and a son: Her Royal Highness Princess Senate (born on October 7th, 2001), Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Maseeiso (November 20th, 2004), and His Royal Highness Prince Lerotholi Crown Prince (April, 18th, 2007).

Passion and royal work:

His Majesty is very passionate about agriculture. In 2016, he was voted by his peers and fellow head of states at the African Union and appointed as African Union Champion for nutrition in January 2014 for a two year term. Following his end of term in 2016, he was reappointed by his peers The African Head of States to carry the mandate until 2019.

In addition, he was appointed in December 2016 to be the Special Ambassador for Nutrition of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

He is also founding patron of Prince Mohato Award (Khau ea Khosana Mohato).

On July 4th, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa arrived in Lesotho's capital Maseru for a courtesy visit and paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III.

During the visit the two head of states talked about the close relationships over the years between both countries and how to fortify the relationships.

His Majesty King Letsie III attended the African Development Bank 2019 for its 54th summit held in Malabo, Equatoriale Guinea. The 2019's theme was ‘Regional integration for Africa’s economic prosperity’, and was held over a 4 day period last week.

He took part in a high powel panel together with Equatorial Guinea’s President Obiang, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and the Prime Minister of ESwatini, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini.

His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho was at the Hague in the Kingdom of the Netherlands on June 17th to visit the International Criminal Court.

During his visit he met with senior judicial officers include the ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, and ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji. He was also decorated with the title of 'Distinguished Honorary Fellow of the International Criminal Court'.

According to the ICC: ICC President Eboe-Osuji stated: "The Kingdom of Lesotho, as an active participant in the drafting of the Rome Statute, as the first Southern African country to ratify the Rome Statute, and a staunch supporter of the ICC ever since, has made great contributions to international criminal justice to secure justice for the victims of the gravest international crimes. The Court is deeply appreciative of this important role played by Lesotho."

This visit highlights Lesotho's support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole. Lesotho signed the Rome Statute on 30 November 1998 and ratified it on 6 September 2000.

His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho was earlier in Rome, Italy to addressed the World Food Programme executive board on the various strategies to improve nutrition across the African Continent and also how to achieve Zero Hunger by the 2030.

His Majesty was talking to the board in his capacities as the appointed African Union Champion for Nutrition and Food and Agriculture Organization Special Ambassador for Nutrition.

His Majesty was appointed as African Union Champion for nutrition in January 2014 for a two year term. Following his end of term in 2016, he was reappointed by his peers The African Head of States to carry the mandate until 2019. In addition, he was appointed in December 2016 to be the Special Ambassador for Nutrition of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

The World Food Programme holds various programmes on the African continent to help eradicate hunger and improve better eating and in Lesotho works with His Majesty and his governement on various strategies.

On Friday May 31st, His Majesty King Mswati III launched the campaign to end Malaria on the Africa continent starting in Eswatini held at Mandvulo Grand Hall in Lozitha Palace. 

His Majesty King Mswati III(Center) and His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho(R). Photo credits Prince Banzile/Shaun de Souza

His Majesty was joined by Her Majesty the Ndlovukati(She-Elephant Queen Mother) Ntfombi and accompanied by his wives the Queens, children and members of the extended royal family. 

The event began by traditional dances, a speech from His Majesty the King and other invited guests including His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho. 

From L-R, Emakhosikati(Queens): LaFogiyane(1st L), LaNtentesa(2nd L), LaMahlangu(3rd L), LaGija(4th), LaNgangaza(5th), LaMatsebula(6th) and LaMotsa(R) at the Fund. Photo Credits: Prince Bandzile/Shaun de Souza/Instagram

The fund was set up in February 2019 by the current Chairman of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) King Mswati III. During the event, eSwatini raised about $300K, and pledge to implement plans to help reduce the Malaria epidemic hitting the country.

TRH Royal sisters: Princess Sikhaniyso, Principal Princess(in yellow), Princess Temaswati(blue). Photo Credits: Prince Banzile/Shaun de Souza

TRH Royal siblings: Prince Bandzile(L 5th wife), Princess Tiyandza & Princess Tebukhosi(4th wife) and Princess Sibahle(R-5th wife). Behind is HRH Princess Temtsimba(6th wife). Photo credits: Prince Bandzile/Shaun de Souza

Invited guests included former and present African Head of states notably Their Majesties King Letsie III and Queen Masenate of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and many others.

Dinner:
In the evening the eSwatini royal family hosted their invited guests to an official dinner