A Brief History of Eswatini and the United Kingdom

As King Mswati III attends the coronation of King Charles II, let’s take a brief moment to reflect on the history of the two kingdoms, and consider why monarchies are worth preserving in the modern world.

His Majesty King Mswati III and Queen Elizabeth II

Introduction

Eswatini is a small country located in southern Africa. It has a population of 1.3 million and is one of the smallest countries on the continent, with an area of just 17,364 square kilometers (6,800 square miles). The country was formerly known as Swaziland; its name was changed to Eswatini in 2018.\

The United Kingdom (UK) is an island nation off the northwest coast of Europe that has been politically divided into four separate countries since 1999: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK is home to over 66 million people and covers an area of about 242 thousand square kilometers (93 thousand square miles).

Early History

The first recorded contact between Eswatini and the United Kingdom occurred in 1884, when King Mswati II traveled to England to attend Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The following year, he returned with his wife and son to meet with Queen Victoria again. This visit led to several treaties being signed between the two nations that allowed for trade and cultural exchange between them.

Colonial Rule — The Protectorate

The history of Eswatini’s relationship with the United Kingdom is a long one. It began in 1894, when King Mswati II signed a treaty with Britain giving them control over his country. This was part of an agreement called the Berlin Conference that allowed European countries to claim land in Africa and Asia. King Mswati II agreed to this because he thought it would help him protect his people from other European powers who wanted their land for themselves. He didn’t realize how much the British would change things for the worse — or how long their rule would last! Nonetheless, this strategy worked for Eswatini, as it is one of the handful of African territories that was never fully and violently subjugated by the forces of colonisation. Eswatini was considered a protectorate of the British monarchy, as opposed to a colonised territory like most African countries.

Post-Colonial Relations

The post-colonial relationship between Eswatini and the United Kingdom has been characterized by continued trade and cultural exchange. Eswatini is a member of the Commonwealth, which means that it maintains close ties with other former British colonies such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The country’s membership in this organization has helped to foster a sense of shared history between these nations that dates back hundreds of years.

The current political climate is also very friendly between these two countries; King Charles II visited Eswatini in 1997 as a director of the Commonwealth Development Corporation, when he was still a prince. His Majesty King Mswati III has also had several visits with the UK royal family over the decades.

[embed]Democracy in Eswatini: what do you mean exactly? What is democracy? And which democracy will work best for Eswatini?medium.com

In conclusion, it is clear that the historical relationship between Eswatini and the United Kingdom has had a significant impact on both countries. While the UK did try to leave the Kingdom of Eswatini with an imposed system of multiparty politics, it is inspiring to see the current King of Eswatini attending the new British King’s coronation, as one of the handful of living monarchs who have been through a coronation ceremony.

His Majesty King Mswati III continues the tradition from his father King Sobhuza II who attended Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, taking the thirteenth seat from the throne.