An old video showing Eswatini’s Mswati III arriving in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has gone viral once again, drawing renewed attention to the African monarch’s lavish lifestyle and royal extravagance. The video, which initially surfaced in July, captures the king making a grand entrance with a massive entourage, including multiple wives, children, and attendants.
Mswati III’s Grand Arrival in Abu Dhabi
The resurfaced clip shows Mswati III, dressed in traditional Swazi attire, stepping off a private jet at the Abu Dhabi airport. He is followed by a line of elegantly dressed women — identified as his 15 wives — along with dozens of aides and attendants.
Table of Contents
A caption in the video reads: “Swaziland king arrived at Abu Dhabi with 15 wives and 100 servants. His father, King Sobhuza II, had 125 wives.” According to reports, the monarch was also accompanied by 30 of his children during the trip.
Sources suggest that the royal party’s massive size caused temporary disruptions at the airport. Security personnel reportedly closed multiple terminals to manage the king’s arrival and provide logistical support to his delegation.
Online Reactions and Criticism
The resurfaced video quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking a wave of criticism. Many users expressed outrage at what they viewed as a stark contrast between the king’s luxury and the economic hardship faced by his citizens in Eswatini.
One user commented, “All this while his people have no electricity or running water.” Another wrote, “Is this country rich enough to afford private jets and such extravagance?”
Several users condemned the display of wealth, pointing out that Eswatini remains one of Africa’s poorest nations. One furious viewer remarked, “This person roams in private jets while his people starve to death.” Another sarcastically added, “And they want money to feed children in Africa.”
Some online users even joked about the king’s polygamous lifestyle. One quipped, “Is there a coordinator in his house to manage all his wives?”
Who Is African King Mswati III?
Mswati III is the current monarch of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), a small landlocked country in southern Africa. He ascended to the throne in 1986, following the death of his father, King Sobhuza II, who had an extraordinary 125 wives.
Known as Africa’s last absolute monarch, Mswati III holds immense political and economic power. He controls the government, the military, and significant portions of the nation’s wealth. According to multiple reports, his personal fortune exceeds $1 billion, making him one of the richest monarchs on the continent.
The Royal Lifestyle and Wealth
Despite Eswatini’s economic challenges, Mswati III’s opulent lifestyle continues to make headlines. Reports indicate that he owns luxury cars, multiple palaces, and private jets, and often travels with a large entourage of family members and staff.
He also has extensive business interests, with holdings in construction, tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, and forestry through royal investment firms. As per Swaziland News, the king’s financial empire contributes significantly to his personal fortune, while much of the nation struggles with poverty and unemployment.
Economic Struggles in Eswatini
While the king enjoys royal luxury, ordinary citizens in Eswatini face severe economic hardships. The nation’s healthcare and education systems are reportedly on the verge of collapse. Public hospitals face shortages of essential medicines, and students often drop out of universities due to unpaid tuition fees.
According to World Bank data, Eswatini’s unemployment rate jumped from 23% to 33.3% in 2021, driven by economic stagnation and rising prices of basic goods. Inflation and inequality remain persistent problems, with much of the population depending on foreign aid and remittances for survival.
This economic divide has intensified public frustration, especially as images and videos of the king’s luxury continue to circulate online.
The Controversial Reed Dance Tradition
Apart from his wealth, Mswati III is also known for his traditional royal customs, especially the annual Reed Dance ceremony — a centuries-old ritual that draws thousands of young women from across the country.
READ ALSO-Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda Get Engaged, Wedding Set for February 2026During the festival, the king is traditionally expected to choose a new bride, a practice that has faced international criticism for being outdated and patriarchal. However, his supporters argue that it remains an important part of Swazi cultural identity and royal tradition.
The resurfaced video of Mswati III’s grand arrival in the UAE has reignited global debate about the extravagance of monarchies in poor nations. As many citizens of Eswatini continue to struggle for basic needs, the king’s luxurious lifestyle — complete with private jets, lavish ceremonies, and a large entourage — stands in sharp contrast to the everyday realities of his people.
For many observers, the video is not just a viral moment but a symbol of inequality, highlighting the growing divide between royal privilege and public suffering in one of Africa’s last absolute monarchies.
By
