Monarchy of Lesotho
The monarchy of Lesotho is the form of government used by Lesotho by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers regulated by the Constitution. The monarch is styled as Marena; in Sotho language, Marena is the plural of the common noun Kings, where Morena is the singular for King.
The monarch since 7 February 1996 is King Letsie III, who ascended the throne on the death of King Moshoeshoe II, his father. It is the second reign of Letsie III; his first reign lasted from 12 November 1990 to 25 January 1995.
Succession
The succession to the throne of Lesotho is laid down in Chapter V of the Constitution, which reads that:Compensation
The king is granted a privy purse amounting to 52,778 USD annually.List of kings
Kings / Paramount Chiefs of Lesotho / [Basutoland] (1822–1966)
- Moshoeshoe I: 1822 – 18 January 1870
- Letsie I: 18 January 1870 – 20 November 1891
- Lerotholi Letsie: 20 November 1891 – 19 August 1905
- Letsie II: 21 August 1905 – 28 January 1913
- Nathaniel Griffith Lerotholi: 11 April 1913 – 23 June 1939
- Simon Seeiso Griffith: 3 August 1939 – 26 December 1940
- * Gabasheane Masupha : 26 December 1940 – 28 January 1941
- * 'Mantšebo Amelia 'Matšaba : 28 January 1941 – 12 March 1960
- Moshoeshoe II: 12 March 1960 – 4 October 1966