Forget Prince William, Here are Even More African Royals to Keep Your Eye On

Prince Sihlobosenkosi Zulu is the son of late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu of Zulu kingdom and his second wife, Queen Buhle Mathe Zulu of KwaDlamahlahla Royal Palace. He recently married Ndlunkulu Lesedi MaMolefe.

King Mswati III is Africa’s last absolute monarch. He first came into power in 1986. As an absolute monarch, Mswati III has veto power over all branches of government and is constitutionally immune from prosecution.

Michel Gaelle Mahouve IV acts as the royal leader of Cameroon. She’s part of the Batanga Lohove people— also known as people of the water— where she is the real life “Woman King.” According to Instagram, Mahouve IV just celebrated her 3rd coronation anniversary.

Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda is the wife of the King of Buganda, King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, according to the Network of African Women Environmentalists. She is regarded as an humanitarian for her transformational leadership and her work in empowering the youth, advocating for disability rights and women’s rights.

King Amon N’Douffou V took over the throne in 2005, and his enthronement was met with national celebration, according to AllAfrica. In 2009, the king named civil rights leader Jesse Jackson a prince of the Kingdom of Sanwi. Jackson marked the second person to receive the title from King Amon. The first person was Michael Jackson.

Actress Lisa Raye McCoy was named the Queen Mother of Ghana by King Yahweh, at a ceremony in Los Angeles in 2019. She did have a crowning ceremony, but there has been criticism of the legitimacy of the title. Lisa Raye was also the First Lady of Turk and Caicos in 2006 when she married Michael Misick, the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos.

Actor David Oyelowo is a prince in Nigeria. His grandfather was the King of Awe in the Oyo State. In an interview with NPR, Oyelowo said that he does not flaunt this title because royal families are “a dime in a dozen,” in Nigeria.

The princess, who also goes by “Stephanie Benson,” was raised royal her whole life. At just 14 years old, Benson was sent to Britain to prepare for her role as Queen, but while working at De Beers, she fell in love with John Benson and the couple eventually wed, according to BBC. The princess is still a Ghanaian royal, but she spends her time pursuing her career as a singer.

The 35th Reth — or King — of the Shilluk Kingdom in Sudan came to power in 1993. At the time of his coronation, Sudan was in the middle of a bloody civil war, which didn’t end until 2005. Most recently, King Kwongo has been criticized for banning non-traditional wedding practices in his kingdom, according to eyeradio.org. According to him, these decrees are in efforts to preserve the traditions and culture of his people.

‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso is the Queen of Lesotho and the wife of King Letsie III of Lesotho. According to Lesotho records, she was the first commoner in modern history to marry into the country’s royal family. Since becoming queen, ‘Masenate has used her power to advocate for projects related to HIV/AIDS in addition to donating to several charities.

After the death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, in 2021, Misuzulu Zulu came to power over the Zulu nation. He is one of 28 children, according to dw.com. After his father’s death, Misuzulu’s rise to power ruffled quite a few feathers in his own family, with many calling his coronation unlawful.

Esther Kamatari went from being Burundi’s exiled princess to France’s first Black model after fleeing from her home country. She decided to step away from her royal life and move to France after her father, Prince Ignace Kamatari, was assassinated when she was only 13, according to Business Insider.

Born Eheneden Erediauwa, the Benin royal values education and public service. Before taking the throne, Ewuare spent much time in Great Britain pursuing his education. He holds a degree in economics and a master’s degree from New Jersey’s Rutgers University, according to newsplus.ng.

Her father, King Mswati III, is Africa’s last absolute monarchy. In his role, the king has unrestricted political power and can rule by decree, according to Eswatini law. His eldest daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini, is the country’s former Minister of Information and Communication Technology.

The king first came to power in 1999, just hours after his father died of a heart attack, according to BBC. King Mohammed VI is now regarded as one of the wealthiest royals in the world. According to Business Insider, his net worth was around $2.1 billion as of 2019.

While most royals like to lavish in their wealth and status, Buganda Princess Joan Nassolo has created a career of her own by advocating and helping others. She has her own non-profit organization committed to environmental conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and youth empowerment. Nassolo holds a title belt for the East and Central Xtra Combat Muay Thai Women’s Championship, according to the Joan Nassolo Foundation. She is also the creator and author of the Legend Of Buganda Comic Book Series.

Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is the current traditional ruler of Ugbo Kingson. He is the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s largest and leading privately held oil companies, according to The Capital. Apparently, Akinruntan’s rise to power was set in stone from his childhood. “There were two separate prophecies that Iwas going to be an Oba [King],” he told The Capital.

The death of Angola’s Queen Nhacatolo Chilombo Tchissengo in 2023 devastated the country. In her place, Queen Nhakatolo Anabela Ngambo Kaumba took the throne and was coronated in 2024. Kaumba marks the newest addition to the only women throne— meaning only women can sit on the throne with the title “nhakatolo.”