In the small mountain Kingdom of Lesotho — entirely surrounded by South Africa, population 2 million — the Basotho monarchy has reigned since the 1820s. King Letsie III has reigned twice — first as a 23-year-old in 1990 after the unprecedented overthrow of his father, then again continuously since 1996 — making him one of Africa's most experienced constitutional monarchs.

The Family's Roots: The Basotho Royal House

The Basotho nation was founded by King Moshoeshoe I in the 1820s. Letsie was born in Morija, Lesotho, on 17 July 1963.

His Father: King Moshoeshoe II

King Moshoeshoe II (2 May 1938 – 15 January 1996) was the first King of independent Lesotho (from 1966). He was twice exiled by Lesotho's military government (1970, 1990), spent time abroad, and ultimately died in a road accident in 1996.

His Mother: Queen Mamohato

Queen Mamohato née Tabitha 'Masentle Lerotholi Mojela (1941 – 6 September 2003) served as Queen Consort and twice as Regent during periods when her son Letsie was unable to take office.

His Wife: Queen Masenate

Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, born 2 June 1976, married Letsie on 18 February 2000.

Their Children

Letsie and Masenate have three children:

Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso, born 7 October 2001 — heir apparent under previous Lesotho rules but excluded under male-preference succession.

Prince Lerotholi David Mohato Bereng Seeiso, born 18 April 2007 — Crown Prince and heir apparent under the male-preference rules.

Princess 'Maseeiso Mohato Seeiso, born 19 December 2008.

The Basotho Royal Family Tree at a Glance

Dynasty

  • Basotho monarchy (founded by Moshoeshoe I in 1820s)

Parents

  • Father: King Moshoeshoe II (1938 – 1996) — first King of independent Lesotho
  • Mother: Queen Mamohato (1941 – 2003)

King Letsie III

  • Born David Mohato Bereng Seeiso, 17 July 1963, Morija
  • Roma University, Lesotho; Bristol University; Wolfson College, Cambridge (Agricultural Economics MPhil); Wye College, London
  • King of Lesotho 12 November 1990 – 25 January 1995 (during father's exile); King again from 7 February 1996

Wife: Queen Masenate

  • Born 2 June 1976
  • Married Letsie on 18 February 2000

Children

  • Princess Senate (b. 7 October 2001)
  • Crown Prince Lerotholi (b. 18 April 2007) — heir apparent
  • Princess 'Maseeiso (b. 19 December 2008)

What the Basotho Family Story Teaches Us

A father who was twice exiled and twice returned. A mother who served as Regent twice. A son who himself became King twice — first because of his father's exile, then again because of his father's death. The Basotho royal family carries a difficult political history with grace.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Letsie story carries the same lesson. Some family records include exile and return. Write down the chapters of departure and the chapters of return. They are equally part of the tree.

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