Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho

Moshoeshoe II.

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.

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 Lesotho House of Moshesh Born: May 2 1938 Died: January 15 1996
Regnal titles
Preceded by Himself as Paramount Chief	King of Lesotho 1966-1970	Succeeded by None Monarchy deposed for some months
Preceded by None	King of Lesotho 1970-1990	Succeeded by Letsie III
Preceded by Letsie III	King of Lesotho 1995-1996
Titles in pretence
Preceded by None	— TITULAR — King of Lesotho 1970	Succeeded by None
	— TITULAR — King of Lesotho 1990/1995	Succeeded by Letsie III

References

1. ^ ^{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)
2. ^ ^{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)

Persondata
Name	Moshoeshoe 02 Of Lesotho
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	May 2, 1938
Place of birth
Date of death	January 15, 1996
Place of death