The Head of State- His Majesty King Letsie III

His Majesty King Letsie III is the Head of State of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the custodian of the nation’s constitutional monarchy. Born Prince David Mohato Bereng Seeiso on 17 July 1963, His Majesty is the first-born son of King Moshoeshoe II and Queen ’Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.

Prince Mohato received his early education at Iketsetseng Private School in Maseru between 1968 and 1972, completing Standard Five. In 1973, he travelled to the United Kingdom where he continued his education at Gilling Castle, a Roman Catholic institution administered by the Order of St Benedict in Yorkshire. He completed his primary education there in 1976 before proceeding, in 1977, to Ampleforth College — his father’s alma mater — where he concluded his secondary and high school studies in 1980.

In pursuit of higher education, Prince Mohato returned home in 1980 to enrol at the National University of Lesotho. There, he undertook studies in law and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently returned to the United Kingdom, completing a Diploma in English Legal Studies at the University of Bristol in 1986. His academic journey continued at the University of Cambridge, where he studied Development Studies, completing the programme in 1989. During this period, he also pursued Agricultural Economics at Wye College, University of London.

On 16 December 1989, Prince Mohato was installed as Principal Chief of Matsieng, the royal village of Lesotho. Less than a year later, on 12 November 1990, he was sworn in as King following the exile of his father, King Moshoeshoe II, by the ruling Military Council. Upon accession, he assumed the regnal name King Letsie III, in honour of King Letsie I, the eldest son of King Moshoeshoe I.

On 25 January 1995, King Letsie III abdicated the throne to allow for the reinstatement of his father, King Moshoeshoe II. Following the tragic death of King Moshoeshoe II on 15 January 1996, King Letsie III was reinstalled as King and Head of State on 7 February 1996. His coronation was solemnly celebrated on 31 October 1997 in Maseru. On 31 October 2022, the Kingdom commemorated the silver jubilee of His Majesty’s coronation.

On 18 February 2000, His Majesty married Miss Karabo Motšoeneng, who became Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso. Their Majesties are blessed with three children: Her Royal Highness Princess Senate (born 7 October 2001), Her Royal Highness Princess ’Maseeiso (born 20 November 2004), and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Lerotholi (born 18 April 2007).

His Majesty has a deep personal interest in agriculture and rural life, frequently spending time at the royal cattle posts in the highlands. He is particularly committed to arable farming and livestock breeding. In recognition of his advocacy, King Letsie III serves as a global nutrition ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. His interests also extend to sport — including horse riding, squash, tennis, and rugby — as well as music, with a preference for classical compositions, avant-garde jazz, and traditional forms.

THE ROYAL LINEAGE OF LESOTHO

• Moshoeshoe I (1824–1870)
• Letsie I (1870–1891)
• Lerotholi I (1891–1905)
• Letsie II (1905–1913)
• Griffith Lerotholi (1913–1939)
• Seeiso Griffith (1939–1940)
• Queen ’Mantšebo Seeiso (1940–1960)
• Moshoeshoe II (1960–1996)*
• Letsie III (1997–present)