- Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho
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Moshoeshoe II (May 2, 1938 – January 15, 1996), previously known as Constantine Bereng Seeiso, was the paramount chief of Lesotho, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso from 1960 until the country gained full independence from Britain in 1966. He was king of Lesotho from 1966 until his death in 1996.
Contents
Early life
The young Seeiso was educated at the Roma College in Lesotho, then (apparently fleeing rumours that his stepfather planned to poison him) was sent to England, first to Ampleforth College and later to Corpus Christi College, Oxford.[1] While there, he took to the life of an English country gentleman, including hunting, shooting, and fishing.[1]
Reign
Moshoeshoe's political power was always limited, and his reign was interrupted twice. Early in his reign, Leabua Jonathan became Prime Minister of Lesotho and gained control of the government. Jonathan deposed Moshoeshoe in 1970 in order to reestablish his control in the country after his party lost the election. Moshoeshoe went into temporary exile in the Netherlands. A few months later, when he gained control, Jonathan allowed Moshoeshoe to reassume the title of king. Jonathan was deposed in 1986 and the king gained some power, but he was deposed in 1990, while his son Letsie III was forced to take his place as king. Moshoeshoe went to exile in the United Kingdom. Moshoeshoe was able to become king again in 1995. The following year he was killed in a car accident, and Letsie became king again a month later. During the political turmoil of 1970 and 1990, and for a month after his death in 1996, his wife and Letsie's mother, 'Mamohato, acted as regent.
- Summary of reign
- 1960-1966: Paramount Chief Constantine Bereng Seeiso of Basutoland[1]
- 1966: crowned as King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho[1]
- 1970: exiled from Lesotho[1]
- February 1990: stripped of constitutional powers[1]
- November 1990: deposed, and his son Letsie III becomes king[1]
- 1990-1992: in exile in the UK[1]
- January 1995: reinstated as King[1]
- January 1996: died, succeeded by Letsie III[1]
Death
The King died at the age of fifty-seven in a road accident, when his car plunged off a mountain road during the early hours of 15 January 1996. The accident also killed his driver.[2] According to a government statement, Moshoeshoe had set out at 1 a.m. to visit his cattle at Matsieng and was returning to Maseru through the Maluti Mountains when his car left the road.[2]
Family
Moshoeshoe married Princess Tabitha Masentle Lerotholi Mojelain (later known as Queen 'Mamohato of Lesotho) in 1962, and with her had two sons and one daughter:[1]
- His Royal Highness Prince David Mohato Bereng Seeiso (born 17 July 1963)
- His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho (born 16 April 1966)
- Her Royal Highness Princess Constance Christina Maseeiso (24 December 1969 – 7 September 1994)
Moshoeshoe II of LesothoHouse of MosheshBorn: May 2 1938 Died: January 15 1996Regnal titles Preceded by
Himself
as Paramount ChiefKing of Lesotho
1966-1970Succeeded by
None
Monarchy deposed for some monthsPreceded by
NoneKing of Lesotho
1970-1990Succeeded by
Letsie IIIPreceded by
Letsie IIIKing of Lesotho
1995-1996Titles in pretence Preceded by
None— TITULAR —
King of Lesotho
1970Succeeded by
None— TITULAR —
King of Lesotho
1990/1995Succeeded by
Letsie IIIReferences
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Obituary: King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho by Benjamin Pogrund in The Independent, 16 January 1996 (accessed 3 November 2007)
- ^ a b King of Tiny Land Circled by South Africa Dies in Car Plunge, by Donald G. McNeil Jr in The New York Times, 16 January 1996 (accessed 3 November 2007)
Categories:- 1938 births
- 1996 deaths
- Alumni of Corpus Christi College, Oxford
- Kings of Lesotho
- Old Amplefordians
- Road accident deaths in Lesotho
- House of Moshesh
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