Last modified: 1 January 2020
The country
The state is known as Muso Oa Lesotho in its national language. This means the Kingdom of Lesotho. The country is reigned by the Seeiso dynasty.
Until 30 April 1965 Basutoland was a British protectorate. Then it became an autonomous kingdom. Moshoeshoe II, paramount chief of Basutoland, became the King. The country became an independent kingdom under the name of Lesotho on 4 October 1966.
Sovereign
The current sovereign is Letsie III David Mohato Bereng Seeiso, King of Lesotho. He was born at the Scott Hospital at Morija, Lesotho, on 17 July 1963.
He is the son of King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho (1938-15 January 1996) and his wife Princess Tabita ‘Masentle Lerotholi Mojela (1941-2003), who was known as Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
Enthronement
Letsie first became King of Lesotho on 12 November 1990, but abdicated in favour of his father on 25 January 1995. After the death of his father he was reinstalled as King on 7 February 1996.
The coronation took place at Maseru, Lesotho, on 31 October 1997.
Other details
The King’s motto is Khotso, Pula, Nala which means Peace, Rain, Prosperity.
The King is a Roman Catholic.
Marriage and descendants
King Letsie III is married to Karabo Anna Mots’oeneng (born 1976) since 2000. She is known as Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso.
Their children:
- Princess Mary Senate Mohato Seeiso (born 2001)
- Princess ‘Maseeiso Mohato Seeiso (born 2004)
- Prince Lerotholi David Mohato Bereng Seeiso (born 18 April 2007)
Heir to the throne
No heir to the throne has officially been appointed as far as I know.
Postal address
The Royal Palace Secretariat
P.O. Box 527
Maseru
Lesotho
Succession
The College of Chiefs may at any time designate the person (or the persons, in order of prior right) who are entitled to succeed as a king after his death. So more than one person can be designated to be capable of succeeding the king. One of them has the first right to succeed.
The Kings of Lesotho
| Moshoeshoe II (1938-1996) | 1960/66-1990 |
| Letsie III (1963- ) | 1990-1995 |
| Moshoeshoe II (1938-1996) | 1995-1996 |
| Letsie III (1963- ) | 1996- |