Their Majesties’ 20th wedding anniversary
‘MANEO RALEBITSO
Manager, Royal Archives and Museum (Matsieng)
MASERU – February 18, 2020 was a historic date in the history of the royal family of the Kingdom of Lesotho as it marked Their Majesties’ 20th Wedding Anniversary.
In celebration of their special day, the Roman Catholic Church held a holy mass officiated by His Grace Archbishop Tlali Lerotholi OMI attended by Their Majesties, other royal family members and close friends.
The royal family is Catholic.
This year’s mass was very special and held at the Royal Palace in Maseru.
About hundred people attended the mass at the Royal Palace Banquet Hall.
Speaking on behalf of the royal family, Principal Chief of Matsieng the King’s brother, Morena Seeiso B. Seeiso expressed gratitude for the mercy of God upon Their Majesties’ lives and wished that the mercy, love and grace continued to bind them together as leaders of Basotho.
He further thanked those who graced the momentous event.
He said, “God has done great things, we are happy and grateful today for all that He has done”.
This event and many other royal events are aspects of the significant Lesotho’s Royal heritage that the Royal Archives and Museum in Matsieng collects, documents, preserves, educate the public about.
His Majesty King Letsie III was born on July 17, 1963 is the senior son of the late King Moshoeshoe II and Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
He was joined in holy matrimony with Her Majesty Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso, nee Karabo Anna Motšoeneng, born on June 02, 1976.
She is the first daughter of Mr Thekiso and Mrs Makarabo Motšoeneng.
The much-anticipated royal wedding in 2000 saw multitudes of well-wishing Basotho gather at different venues during the three-day wedding ceremony of their beloved King and the ‘girl’ that captured his heart.
The first day of the ceremony was held at Setsoto Stadium and officiated by the then His Grace Archbishop Bernard Mohlalisi OMI in the presence of Members of the Parliament, senior government officials, Diplomat Corps, special guests from different Southern African countries and other parts of the world.
The second ceremony was held at the bride’s home area, at Hlotse Pitso ground, Leribe, on February 19, 2000.
This occasion was attended by many Linare as the people of Leribe are affectionately called.
Chieftainess Mamolapo Motšoene spoke briefly on the occasion where she welcomed all visitors and presented the gifts from Linare to Their Majesties and among those was a Bible she indicated was a reliable and powerful guide for the newlyweds in performing their everyday duties.
The Leribe ceremony was characterized by performances from various traditional music groups.
The third and last day of the ceremony saw the bride’s welcoming ceremony by Mabeoana in Matsieng, an event which was held at Matsieng Pitso Ground. Matsieng is the historic and royal headquarters of Lesotho’s Royal Family since the passing of Morena Moshoeshoe I and is the traditional Palace of Their Majesties.
The significance of this last day of the ceremony was that the newly-wed ’Mabasotho had finally come to her new matrimonial home.
Their Majesties have been blessed with three children: Princess Senate born in October 07, 2001, Princess Maseeiso born on November 20, 2004 and Prince Lerotholi Mohato Seeiso born on April 18, 2007.
