Buckingham Palace rejects request to return remains of Ethiopian prince - BBC News

Buckingham Palace has declined a request to return the remains of an Ethiopian prince who came to be buried at Windsor Castle in the 19th Century.

Prince Alemayehu was taken to the UK aged just seven and arrived an orphan after his mother died on the journey.

Queen Victoria then took an interest in him and arranged for his education - and ultimately his burial when he died aged just 18.

But his family wants his remains to be sent back to Ethiopia.

#Ethiopia #RoyalFamily #BBCNews

[tiffanyi]

Wow they’re literally holding that boy eternally captive! It’s not his fault he was captured and then buried at Windsor. He should be returned to his own country and people. The treasures should be returned as well!! Unbelievable!

[Nao-ixru]

I think it is unfortunate that Buckingham Palace has refused to return the remains of Prince Alemayehu to Ethiopia. He was taken from his homeland as a child and died alone in a foreign country. His family and his people have the right to honour his memory in his ancestral land. The British should respect their wishes and show some remorse for their colonial past.

[cristeanhightower]

Wow that's really disappointing heartbreaking and disturbing..he's not an item he was a human being that deserves to be returned to his Family

[joshowen]

That would equal to acknowledging the crime

[erwinjessealjas]

"...looted by Britain..."

Thank you for saying this.

[yonathanasefaw]

Bring my prince back to Etiopia now! Thank you very much!

[hello.goodbye]

No one should negotiate with thieves.. It's their belongings and should be given back with interest for all the used years.

[SL-udtf]

God only knows what happened to the young boy and his belongings. I hope he didn't suffer. RiP

[vcwloves]

Aside from this, can you imagine how many jewels and other sacred objects they have that don't belong to them? Giving him back would open them up for more returns. I doubt they want this...hence the denial.

[Glory_Kathomi.]

They can't even give back a body(remains rather). What a shame!

[Apo]

This says all you need to know about the Royal Family right here.

[Fasildes]

they may captive your flesh but not your soul, you are the son of the legend King Tewodros who left the footprint which nothing can erase it. Rest in peace prince Alemayehu Tewodros,

[dujardinmtl]

It’s a shame. On what grounds are they rejecting this legitimate request?

[chihuahuasrule]

The family should also ask for the items England looted from Ethiopia, even though they'll respond similarly to that additional request.

[iamthecrispconnoisseur]

The sadness on the Princes face 😢 he needs to be put to rest at last

[ThandoMbathaa]

Why do I have a feeling they don't even have his remains😭😢 he was probably buried in a unmarked grave, tossed away like nothing 😩

[patrickrealestate-]

Oh, Buckingham Palace, regal and grand,
I beseech you to hear my fervent demand.
For in your halls, a story untold,
Of a stolen prince, brave and bold.

Prince Alemayehu, his fate unkind,
Taken from his land, leaving loved ones behind.
A captive he became, far from his home,
His spirit shattered, his heart alone.

In Ethiopia's land, his absence keenly felt,
His people yearning, their anguish never dealt.
Generations have passed, the pain remains,
While his remains lie within your domains.

Buckingham Palace, with grace and might,
It's time to set things right, to make it right.
Return the prince, let him rest at last,
His final journey, his memories held fast.

In the name of justice, let empathy guide,
Embrace compassion, let history reside.
Acknowledge the past, heal wounds untold,
Buckingham Palace, let truth unfold.

For Prince Alemayehu, let justice prevail,
A solemn gesture that will never fail.
To honor his spirit, to mend what's been torn,
Return his remains, let redemption be born.

✊🏿🖤👑

[derekmiles]

I personally think the reason Buckingham Palace refused is, conceding to such a request, and agreeing to return a possession as culturally significant as a Prince's remains is going to open the way for past colonies to start asking for stuffs that Imperialist Britain stole, especially those of cultural significance... An example of this is the Benin Kingdom's attempts of trying to get back most of the cultural artifacts the British stole during the 1897 British massacre of the Benin Kingdom.

[RaySmith]

This is why Charles is just Charles to me. I understand why they can't give things back because they stole mostly everything.

[betty_ss]

As a great great grand son of Emperor Tewodros this is heartbreaking. I was so excited few months ago after hearing that there is a chance.