King Letsie III Birthday Celebrations on 17 July | Celebrate King Letsie III Birthday
17 July
King Letsie III Birthday
What And When
Letsie III (born David Mohato Bereng Seeiso; 17 July 1963) is the reigning king of Lesotho. He succeeded his father, Moshoeshoe II, when the latter was forced into exile in 1990. His father was briefly restored in 1995 but soon died in a car crash in early 1996, and Letsie became king again. As a constitutional monarch, most of King Letsie’s duties as monarch of Lesotho are ceremonial.
Education
He was educated in the United Kingdom at Ampleforth College. From there he went on to study at the National University of Lesotho where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law. He then went on to study at the University of Bristol, the University of Cambridge, and the University of London. He completed his studies in 1989, when he returned to Lesotho.
King Letsie married in 2000 to Karabo Motšoeneng, with whom he has two daughters and one son:
- Princess Mary Senate Mohato Seeiso, born 7 October 2001 and
- Princess ‘M’aSeeiso, born 20 November 2004.
- Prince Lerotholi David Mohato Bereng Seeiso, born 18 April 2007
Lesotho King’s Birthday Traditions and Activities
The King’s birthday celebrations are usually characterised by the playing of choral music, famo music and the traditional dances mokhibo and ndlamo. The Royal Salute and the 21-gun salute, singing of the national anthem (Lesotho Fat’se La Bo-Ntata Rona), prayer led by the Christian Council of Lesotho, and parades by soldiers dressed in ceremonial green uniforms with white belts and gloves are other characteristics of the King’s birthday celebrations in Lesotho.
The crowds that gather at the venue of the celebrations of the King’s birthday are known to greet the King and his entourage with ululations and cheers. The King’s birthday is a public holiday, and more specifically a bank holiday in Lesotho.
The King’s birthday celebrations are held in different districts of Lesotho starting from 2003. In 2003, it was held in Matsieng, whichis the king’s home and the seat of the royalty. Decentralisation of the King’s birthday celebrations was announced in 2003 so that all citizens of Lesotho could appreciate the importance of the King’s birthday and take part in the celebrations.
In 2009, the King’s birthday was celebrated in Mohale’s Hoek. A horse racing event was a part of the celebrations.
King’s birthday Picture Gallery
