Over 20 years ago the brilliant documentary " Footsteps of the Emperor" by Fairfield House director Professor Shawn Naphtali Sobers , presented by Poet Benjamin Zephaniah interviewed residents of Bath who had vivid memories of their former neighbour, the famous "Lion of Judah "
Today @houseofhismajesty , former home of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I in Bath , we are embarking on a new project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and working with Bath Records Office to record memories that are still around of the Emperor and the Ethiopian royal family in Britain.
These include both first hand memories and family stories of this important history.
If you family member have memories of the Ethiopian Royal Family during their time in Britain, please get in contact with us at info@houseofhismajesty.com or 01225 464165
Background: HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I first visited Britain in 1924 when he was the Prince Regent of Ethiopia as guest of Queen Elizabeth II's grandfather King George V. In 1936 Emperor Haile Selassie I and the Ethiopian royal family took up refuge in Britain and settled at Fairfield House in Bath until Ethiopia was liberated from Italian occupation in 1943 ( The Emperor returned to Ethiopia in 1941 ).The Emperor returned in 1954 on a state visit to Britain and was the 2nd guest Queen Elizabeth II received after her Coronation in 1953. On this visit he was awarded in the Order of the Garter and with the Freedom of the City of Bath, staying at Fairfield House once again for the best part of a week.And in 1972 the Emperor returned to Britain once again and attended at Garter ceremony at St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle. The then Prince Charles took leave from College to attend the event. HIM Haile Selassie I spoke fondly throughout his reign of his special connection with the people of Britain established during his years of exile. It is possible other private visits were made. For example, signing the Deed of Gift in 1958/9. Many of the children of the Ethiopian Royal family went to school in Britain.
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