African Royalties

A happy belated birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Maseeiso Seeiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Her Royal Highness celebrated her birthday on November 20th. She is the second born of His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen Masenate. She has as sibling TRH Princess Senate and Crown Prince Letrotholi

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/

Their Royal Highness Princess Senate(Princess Royal) and Crown Prince Lerotholi released new pictures on their various Instagrams accounts.

The 18 year old Senior Princess and 12 year old Crown Prince are 2 of 3 children of His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen Masenate.

HRH Princess Senate



HRH Crown Prince Lerotholi:

Love, Weddings and Spring is up in the air in over Southern African countries

Congratulations are in order to Her Royal Highness Princess Sekhothali Seeiso who will be getting married in a few weeks to a royal king.

Details of the wedding as well as that of the royal groom and how the couple met and fell in love haven't yet been release until the wedding day.

HRH is the daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Masupha and Her Royal Highness the late Princess Mabereng Masupha. She is the oldest of three with younger siblings: TRH Princess Khoptoso and Prince Bereng. She is the cousin to HM King Letsie III and HRH Prince Seeiso

We are wishing the royal couple our sincere congratulations and blessings as the take this new step in their lives

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

Her Royal Highness Princess Sekhothali of the Kingdom of Lesotho paid a visit to a semi rural village in Ha Lepolesa, Qalabane in Mafeteng district on August 31st with the purpose of engaging with girls and young women on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and the importance of knowing their general rights as the future female leaders of the mountain kingdom and in the world.

View this post on Instagram

On August 31st my team and I visited a semi rural village in Ha Lepolesa, Qalabane in Mafeteng district. I was joined by Advocate Mpho Maema of Women’s Law Clinic, Mampho Lets’aba of the uniform drive, and our special guest from Botswana a Mandela Washington Fellow Masedi Thata Kewamodimo. The purpose of this visit was to engage with girls and young women on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and the importance of knowing their general rights as the future female leaders of the kingdom of Lesotho and the world. We encouraged the girls to stand up and say NO to early marriages and not see them an escape from poverty, because without education one will not get employed anywhere even when they decide to be independent. Miss Masedi shared her story of being born HIV+ and living a full life with the disease which she does not allow to dictate her life. Miss Mampho provided school equipment to one girl who was chosen by the chief of the village based on her motivation in school. We were also pledged with sanitary pads from DHL Lesotho and two Government officials. I also educated the girls on the different types of sanitary products that we are trying to make available for them such as the Menstrual Cup from @princessdmenstrualcup We also have a petition running on @sexrightsafricanetwork for free sanitary wear in Africa, please take a moment to click on the link and sign the petition 🙏🏽 One, Free Africa for all Africans ✨ #princessdiaries #princesswithapurpose #kingdomoflesotho #lesotho #lesothoroyalty #africanroyals #qalabane #mafeteng #menstrualhygiene #princessdcuppa #menstrualcup #womenempowerment #womenslawclinic #sanitarydrive #educateachild #educateagirlchangetheworld #educateagirlempoweranation #powerofpositivity #livingwithhiv #lesothoroyals #princesssekhothaliseeisooflesotho #brownskingirl #mosotho #makeadifference #pledge #sanitarypads #mandelawashingtonfellowship #usembassy #usembassymaseru

A post shared by HRH Princess Sekhothali Seeiso (@sco_chichi) on Sep 2, 2019 at 1:57am PDT

She was joined by her team, Advocate Mpho Maema of Women’s Law Clinic, Mampho Lets’aba of the uniform drive, and our special guest from Botswana a Mandela Washington Fellow Masedi Thata Kewamodimo were they encouraged the attendees to stand up against early marriages and to inform their families not see them as an escape out of poverty, but to encourage their girls to continue their education cause it has tremendous benefits then faults.

Her Royal Highness also educated the girls on the different types of sanitary products that we are trying to make available for them, through her partnership and pledged with Princess Menstrual Cup, DHL Lesotho and a few government officials and agencies

They sat down for open dialogue with the attendees during which Miss Masedi shared her story of being born HIV+ and living a full life with the disease which she does not allow to dictate her life.
Miss Mampho provided school equipment to one girl who was chosen by the chief of the village based on her motivation in school.

His Royal Highness Prince Bereng Seeiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho celebrate his birthday yesterday together with his cousin His Majesty King Letsie III.

His Royal Highness is the son of His Royal Highness Prince Masupha and Her Royal Highness the late Princess Mabereng Masupha. He is the last child and first son to the couple with two older sisters Her Royal Highness Princess Sekhothali and Her Royal Highness Princess Khoptoso Seesiso .

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.

A happy birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Khoptoso Seesiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Her Royal Highness was born to His Royal Highness Prince Masupha and Her Royal Highness the late Princess Mabereng Masupha. She is the middle child and second daughter to the couple with an older sister Her Royal Highness Princess Sekhothali and younger brother His Royal Highness Prince Bereng.

Her Royal Highness is the cousin to His Majesty King Letsie III and His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso as their fathers His Majesty the late King Moshoeshoe II and HRH Prince Masupha were siblings.

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.

Many royals from around the continent attended the African Union 2nd Dialogue with Traditional and Religious leaders on retention of Girls and young women in Education system conference at Speak Resort Munyonyo in Uganda.

Her Royal Highness Queen Mother Best of Tooro Kingdom and Her Royal Highness Princess Sekhothali of the Kingdom of Lesotho were amongst the attendees where the Ugandan Speaker of Parliament The Right Honorable Rebecca Kadaga gave the opening speech at the beginning of the conference urging leaders to put great emphasis on educating their communities about the importance of educating their female citizens.

The conference which was held from June 19-20th was organised by the African Union International Centre for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU-CIEFFA), a dedicated organisation of African Union dedicated to the education of girls.

Its main objectives of this dialogue is to bring the key players at community level to the frontline to accelerate the desired changes Africa wants for its development and the welfare of its populations. It has become urgent to take an in-depth look at the issue of girls' and women’s education in general and their retention in educational systems in particular.

Leaders came from African Union member states which include Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho attended the Sentebale Audi Concert 2019 held at Hampton Court Palace in London.

His Royal Highness who is the co-founding patron of Sentebale together with His Royal Highness Prince Henry, Duke of Sussex both attended last night's charitable concert to raise funds and awareness for children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi where the foundation.

The concert brought together various celebrities, public figures and people from all works of life from the UK, Lesotho and around the world.

Sentebale which means "forget me not" in Sesotho(Lesotho's official language) was founded in 2006 by both princes in memory of their late moms, Her Majesty Queen Momahato and Diana The Princess of Wales, and to the charity works they were involve in.

Update:
HRH Prince Seeiso attended the concert accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Mabereng and eldest daughter HRH Princess Tabitha Seeiso

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

Today's I celebrate the 43rd birthday of Her Majesty and another year to celebrate her tireless dedication to enhancing Lesotho's social development, education, youth, girls both locally and internationally.

The Basotho Royal Family at His Majesty King Letsie III's birthday celebration in 2018

Born on June 2nd 1976, as Miss Anna Karabo Mots’oeneng, as the eldest in a family of five to Mr. Thekiso and Mrs. ‘Makarabo Mots’oeneng.

Her Majesty Queen Masenate with HRH Princess Senate

Embed from Getty Images

Education and Family Life: 
From 1990-1996, she attended Machabeng International College in Maseru where she completed her International General Certificate for Secondary Education and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Her Majesty (Middle) with TRH Princess Temasyina Sibahle(L) and Princess Tiyandza(R) on May 31st. Photo Credits: Prince Banzile/Instagram/Shaun DeSouza

In 1997, she enrolled at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) to pursue her Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Her studies were, however, interrupted by her engagement to His Majesty King Letsie III in October 1999 whom she met in 1996.

On February 18th 2000, they were joined in holy matrimony on February 18th, 2000. 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).

Patronage: 
Her Majesty the Queen is Royal Patron to charities both locally as well as internationally which includes: the Lesotho Red Cross Society; SOS Children’s Village; People with Disabilities and the Machabeng International College.

Her interests goes especially in projects that are aimed at helping people with disabilities to be better heard in their communities, and everywhere else around the country. Her Majesty the Queen believes that because of their vulnerability, these people need to be provided with special services/facilities. During her years at Machabeng College, she did her community service at Angela School for the Disabled and Centre for the Blind.

It is Her Majesty the Queen’s strong contention that the silence surrounding the people infected with the HIV/AIDS should be broken. Her Majesty has had an opportunity to be involved in the HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns in the country, and has also visited several AIDS projects around the country. She has observed the care, love and support given to persons living with HIV/AIDS, particularly the orphans.

Orders:

Her Majesty has been bestowed the following orders:

Commander of the Order of Academic Palms: In 2018, Her Majesty was bestowed the Order of Academic Palms by Ambassador of France to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Christophe Farnaud on behalf of the French President HE Emmanuel Macron.

Photo Credits: French Embassy in South Africa

Dame Commander of the Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe.