Eswatini's King Mswati III: Lavish Royal Lifestyle Exposed in Viral Abu Dhabi Arrival Video

King Mswati III continues his reign as Africa's last absolute monarch, drawing renewed attention through a resurfaced video.

A previously circulated video showing Eswatini's King Mswati III arriving in Abu Dhabi has recently regained viral status, highlighting the monarch's opulent lifestyle. The footage, originally appearing in July, documents the king's elaborate arrival at Abu Dhabi airport accompanied by numerous wives and an extensive entourage.

The video captures the monarch disembarking from his private jet while dressed in traditional garments. He is followed by a procession of elegantly attired women. A caption overlay states, "Swaziland king arrived at Abu Dhabi with 15 wives and 100 servants. His father, King Sobhuza II, had 125 wives."

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According to various accounts, King Mswati III was also traveling with approximately 30 of his children during this Abu Dhabi visit. The substantial royal delegation reportedly created temporary logistical challenges at the airport, necessitating the closure of multiple terminals by security personnel to accommodate the royal party's passage.

The resurfaced footage has sparked considerable criticism online, with many commentators emphasizing the stark disparity between the king's extravagant lifestyle and the daily hardships faced by Eswatini's citizens.

Many viewers expressed indignation regarding this display of wealth. One commenter noted, "All this while his people have no electricity or running power," while another questioned, "Is this a rich enough country to afford a private jet?"

Some critics offered more pointed condemnation of the monarch's excesses. "This person roams in private jets while his people starve to death," wrote one distressed observer. Another comment reflected similar sentiment: "And they want money to feed children in Africa."

One humorous comment asked, "Is there any coordinator in his house to manage all his wives?"

Royal Wealth

King Mswati III has governed the small southern African nation since his ascension in 1986 and reportedly possesses personal wealth exceeding $1 billion, according to numerous sources.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Eswatini faces collapsed healthcare and education systems, public hospital medication shortages, and university students dropping out due to financial constraints despite reliance on donations. The World Bank documented unemployment increasing from 23% to 33.3% in 2021, amid rising costs for essential goods. Concurrently, the King maintains ownership stakes across multiple industries including construction, tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, and forestry, according to Swaziland News.

Renowned for his lavish lifestyle and adherence to traditional royal practices, King Mswati reportedly selects a new bride annually during the Reed Dance ceremony, a centuries-old tradition that generates both admiration and criticism.

While the royal household enjoys tremendous wealth, the reality for most citizens presents a stark contrast. Reports indicate nearly 60% of Eswatini's population lives below the poverty line.