An Ethiopian prince who was taken by British soldiers is buried in Windsor Castle. Activists are calling for his body to be returned.

Isaiah ReynoldsMay 5, 2023, 23:42 IST

Prince AlemayehuJabez Hughes/Victoria and Albert Museum

Following the Battle of Magdala, orphaned Prince Alemayehu was taken by British soldiers to Britian.
Taken under the wing of British nobility, Alemayehu was entirely severed from his life in Ethiopia.

In 1861, Prince Alemayehu was born in Magdala as the only legitimate son to Tewodros II, Emperor of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia).

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1868, around 13,000 British and Indian troops and additional auxiliary workers arrived in Magdala to rescue British hostages who had been held captive by Emperor Tewodros II.

Illustration of the Battle of Abyssinia, 1868Photos.com/Getty Images

In 1868, around 13,000 British and Indian troops and additional auxiliary workers arrived in Magdala to rescue British hostages who had been held captive by Emperor Tewodros II.

The battle concluded with the release of the captive British missionaries and the death of the Emperor, who took his own life to evade surrender or imprisonment.

Portrait of Tewodros II, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death in 1868mikroman6/Getty Images

In the midst of the looting, British soldiers also took Prince Alemayehu, who was 7-years-old at the time.

Captain Speedy and Prince AlemayehuJabez Hughes / Royal Collection Trust

The prince was taken to Speedy's home in Britain and presented to Queen Victoria, who took a special liking to him. Speedy was given a stipend for Alemayehu's education and served as his guardian.

Captain Speedy and Prince AlemayehuV&A Images/Getty Images

The prince was taken to Speedy's home in Britain and presented to Queen Victoria, who took a special liking to him. Speedy was given a stipend for Alemayehu's education and served as his guardian.

While studying at elite preparatory schools, Alemayehu was ostracized and condemned as a "royal savage."

Jabez Hughes / Royal Collection Trust

At the age of 18, Prince Alemayehu died from pleurisy.

Prince AlemayehuHUGHES & MULLINS / Royal Collection Trust

In recent years, Ethiopians have campaigned for the Prince's rightful burial in his motherland.

HILLS & SAUNDERS / Royal Collection Trust

Despite the crown's hesitancy, the calls for a proper repatriation of the prince, the looted items of Magdala, and other culturally significant items around the world continue to grow.

Prince AlemayehuJulia Margaret Cameron/Getty Images

Despite the crown's hesitancy, the calls for a proper repatriation of the prince, the looted items of Magdala, and other culturally significant items around the world continue to grow.

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An Ethiopian prince who was taken by British soldiers is buried in Windsor Castle. Activists are calling for his body to be returned.

In 1861, Prince Alemayehu was born in Magdala as the only legitimate son to Tewodros II, Emperor of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia).

In 1868, around 13,000 British and Indian troops and additional auxiliary workers arrived in Magdala to rescue British hostages who had been held captive by Emperor Tewodros II.

The battle concluded with the release of the captive British missionaries and the death of the Emperor, who took his own life to evade surrender or imprisonment.

In the midst of the looting, British soldiers also took Prince Alemayehu, who was 7-years-old at the time.

The prince was taken to Speedy's home in Britain and presented to Queen Victoria, who took a special liking to him. Speedy was given a stipend for Alemayehu's education and served as his guardian.

While studying at elite preparatory schools, Alemayehu was ostracized and condemned as a "royal savage."

At the age of 18, Prince Alemayehu died from pleurisy.

In recent years, Ethiopians have campaigned for the Prince's rightful burial in his motherland.

Despite the crown's hesitancy, the calls for a proper repatriation of the prince, the looted items of Magdala, and other culturally significant items around the world continue to grow.