On This Day: Death of Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the death of King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho, the country’s first monarch.

Moshoeshoe was born in May 1938, the eldest son of Seeiso, the paramount chief of Basutoland, as Lesotho was known as prior to achieving independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. He was educated in his home country and in England.

King Moshoeshoe II as a young man

He took the chiefdom in 1960 upon his father’s death, and was installed as King of Lesotho in October 1966. King Moshoeshoe was exiled from Lesotho twice: once, temporarily in 1970 during a time of political upheaval, and again in 1990 before returning to the throne in 1995.

The King was married to Princess Tabitha Mojela, later known as ‘Mamohato, in 1962 and the couple had three children: the current King, Letsie III, Prince Seeiso (who founded Sentebale alongside Prince Harry of Wales) and Princess Constance.

King Moshoeshoe delivers a speech at UNESCO, November 1995

King Moshoeshoe was killed in a car accident in the Maloti Mountains at the age of 57.

Filed under Historical Royals, Lesotho
Tagged Anniversary, Death, Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho.

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