Ethiopia Recovers Treasures Looted by British Empire
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In 1868, British soldiers seized the treasures and kidnapped the Ethiopian prince, aged seven, after invading the fortress of his father, the African country's Emperor Tewodros II, who committed suicide during the attack. The prince was forcefully brought to the United Kingdom and died there in 1879, without ever seeing Ethiopia again.
Ethiopia received back treasures of the country's Emperor Tewodros II stolen in 1868 by the British Empire, the African nation's foreign ministry says.
"Some historical artifacts looted shortly after the battle of Magdala between Ethiopian and British armies in 1868 have been returned to Ethiopia," the ministry's statement reads.
These include a horn bowl, two silver-plated bowls, a shield and, most surprising of all – a lock of hair from Prince Alemayehu Tewodros, who was forcefully brought with his mother to the United Kingdom, where he died at the age of 18.
The Ethiopian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Teferi Meles, welcomed these renditions which mark according to him a "diplomatic victory" for Ethiopia.
Earlier, Ethiopia has made several attempts to repatriate the prince's remains, which are at the British Windsor Castle. In 2007, former President of Ethiopia, Girma Wolde-Giorgis, made a plea to Queen Elizabeth II for the return of the body. However, in 2019, it was reported that Queen Elizabeth II rejected it.
The latest request was made in May, however, London refused to fulfill it, citing concerns about potential implications on other remains at St George's Chapel catacombs in Windsor Castle if the prince's remains are removed.
