King Charles revealed that the late, great Nelson Mandela used a name with ‘particular affection’ when referring to Queen Elizabeth.
Earlier this week, his royal highness held a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, who was visiting the UK for a few nights.
During the banquet, Charles made a speech about the links between South Africa and the UK, particularly about South Africa’s most famous President and civil rights icon Nelson Mandela.
“During one of my own visits to South Africa, in 1997,” Charles said, “President Mandela told me that he had conferred on my mother a special name - Motlalepula, meaning ‘to come with rain’.”
“I have been reassured that this was a mark of the particular affection President Mandela felt for the Queen… rather than a remark on the British habit of taking our weather with us!” Charles said jokingly.
How cute is that!
Charles also talked of his mother’s famous address in South Africa 75 years ago, when she was still a Princess but swore the rest of her life to the nations her family had ruled over for generations.
“South Africa, like the Commonwealth, has always been a part of my life,” the King said. “My mother often recalled her visit in 1947, the year before I was born, when, from Cape Town on her 21st birthday, she pledged her life to the service of the people of the Commonwealth.
When Queen Elizabeth sadly passed away earlier this year, King Charles had some very kind words for his mother.
“To my darling Mama,” he said near the end of the speech. “As you begin your last great journey to my dear late Papa, I want to simply say this: Thank you.”
“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family, and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
