South Africa’s royal scandal: as Princess Charlene mourns the loss of Zulu king, chaos erupts over his successor
- The king’s role is largely ceremonial but carries great significance to South Africa’s 12 million Zulu people
- The late King Goodwill Zwelithini considered Princess Charlene of Monaco ‘a daughter’ – now a succession dispute has broken out
A new Zulu king was named in South Africa amid scenes of chaos, as members of the royal family questioned Prince Misuzulu Zulu’s claim to the title following his father’s death, and bodyguards suddenly whisked him away from the public announcement at a palace.
The controversy over the next king, a largely ceremonial role but one with great significance for South Africa and its 12 million Zulu people, has arisen after the death in March of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who had reigned since 1968.
Zwelithini apparently named one of his six wives, Queen Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu, as the “regent of the Zulu kingdom” in his will, but she died after holding the title for only a month, throwing the royal succession into turmoil.
The commotion broke out last week at the reading of Queen Mantfombi’s will and hours after a memorial service for her. The queen’s will named 46-year-old Prince Misuzulu, her eldest son with King Zwelithini, as the heir and next king.
But another prince objected and interrupted the announcement at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Two princesses also have questioned whether the late king’s will gave Queen Mantfombi the right to nominate a successor upon her death.
King Zwelithini reportedly had 28 children with his different wives, and Queen Mantfombi was not his first wife. A dispute over succession had been brewing since the late king’s death, fascinating many South Africans with their very own royal scandal.