Letsie III

Letsie III became King of Lesotho on February 7, 1996, following the death of his father, King Moshoeshoe II. His role is largely ceremonial under the constitution.

Letsie III went into exile in South Africa during the 1998 political crisis in Lesotho, following disputed elections and a military mutiny. He returned after SADC intervention restored order.

Letsie III mediated between Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing during a political crisis. He helped broker a deal that led to early elections in 2015.

Letsie III opened the new parliamentary session in March 2015 after the general election. He called for national unity and economic development in his speech from the throne.