Author: Crown Council

8 March 2026/29 የካቲት 2019

His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie on 29 የካቲት 2018 (8 March 2026), joins the international community in recognizing and celebrating International Women’s Day 2026.

On this auspicious occasion, the Ethiopian Crown Council also acknowledges and commends the indispensable work carried out by international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and private voluntary organisations that labour diligently to highlight and address the continuing legal, economic, and social inequalities faced by women and girls throughout the world.

This year’s theme, “Closing the Global Gender Gap,” serves as a timely and solemn reminder of the shared responsibility of governments, civil society, and the international community to advance policies and initiatives that ensure dignity, equality, opportunity, and justice for women and girls everywhere.

The Imperial House further recognizes the immeasurable contributions women have made — and continue to make — to the advancement of society in every sphere of human endeavour, including governance, diplomacy, education, science, culture, and humanitarian service. Their leadership, resilience, and wisdom remain essential to the promotion of peace, stability, and sustainable development across nations.

In this spirit, the Ethiopian Crown Council reaffirms its support for all efforts that promote the empowerment, protection, and full participation of women in civic, economic, and public life. The advancement of women and girls is not merely a matter of equity, but a fundamental pillar for the prosperity and progress of nations. On this International Women’s Day, we honour the achievements of women across the world and renew our commitment to fostering a future in which the rights, dignity, and aspirations of every woman and girl are fully realised.

3 March 2026 / 24 የካቲት 2018

 The Crown Council of Ethiopia, acting in its historic and constitutional capacity as the body appointed to advise the Emperor and, during an interregnum, to safeguard the authority and dignity of the Crown, issues the following statement in response to numerous inquiries concerning Mr. Estifanos Matewos, who has styled himself “Prince” and has asserted descent from Lij Eyasu.

We the Crown Council of Ethiopia, affirm that the governance of Imperial dignity and the lawful use of princely titles are not matters of personal declaration, but of constitutional order, sacred tradition, and dynastic law.

The Revised Constitution of the Empire of Ethiopia (1955), together with the Succession to the Throne and Crown Order (1974), clearly establishes the principles governing line of descent and the conferral of Imperial titles.

Article 2 of the Revised Constitution affirms that the Imperial dignity remains perpetually attached to the line of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, descending uninterrupted from the Solomonic Dynasty. Article 5 further establishes that succession is strictly lineal, passing through male descendants born in lawful wedlock, with the nearer line preceding the more remote and the elder before the younger.

Article 8 expressly provides that even under Regency, the authority to grant the title of Prince does not exist. The power to confer such dignity belongs solely to a reigning and seated Emperor. Article 16 defines the Imperial Family as the direct lineal ascendants and descendants of the Emperor, subject to constitutional requirements, and Article 17 places matters concerning the status and recognition of Princes within the constitutional framework of the Crown Council’s advisory role to the Emperor.

The Succession to the Throne and Crown Order (1974) further clarifies the defined and lawful line of succession and those entitled to royal style and precedence under the Constitution.

In light of these binding provisions, the Crown Council states the following:

1. Whether Mr. Estifanos Matewos may or may not be a biological descendant of Lij Eyasu is a private genealogical matter pertaining to the family concerned. The Crown Council neither investigates nor adjudicates private lineage claims.     
2. However, the use of the title “Prince of Ethiopia” is not determined by personal assertion, distant descent, or collateral lineage. Under Ethiopia’s Imperial Constitution and the ancient customs of the Solomonic Monarchy, princely dignity may arise only through:
   • Direct male-line descent within the constitutionally defined Imperial House; or
   • Explicit grant by a reigning and seated Emperor.
3. In the absence of a reigning Emperor, no authority exists to create, recognize, or validate new princely titles. Any such usage outside the constitutional framework of the Empire is without legal or traditional standing.

Accordingly, the Crown Council of Ethiopia does not recognize or accept the use of the title “Prince” by Mr. Estifanos Matewos. Such styling has no constitutional basis under Articles 2, 5, 8, 16, and 17 of the Revised Constitution, nor under the Succession to the Throne and Crown Order of 1974.

Until such time as a reigning Emperor is restored to the Throne of Ethiopia, all royal titles purportedly issued, adopted, or used outside the framework of the Imperial Constitution and the laws governing the Solomonic succession must be regarded as null and void in dignity and effect.

The Crown Council remains steadfast in its duty to preserve the integrity of Ethiopia’s Imperial heritage, to uphold the sanctity of the Solomonic line, and to ensure that the honors of the Empire are neither diminished nor misapplied.

19 February 2026 / 12 የካቲት 2018

 

To our brothers and sisters of the Adwa Movement of South Africa,

It is with great pleasure that I learned of your intention to commemorate the great victory at the Battle of Adwa, achieved under the leadership of the great Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia against the forces of European colonialism.  As you know, this victory was hard won on the blood of our ancestors.  Commemorating this event not only honors their sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all those who have laid down their lives in the cause of freedom.

The Victory at Adwa, beyond defeating the colonial ambitions of Italy, symbolizes much more.  In the Ethiopian and African context, it demonstrated that unity is strength, and that a united people will be victorious in the face of adversity.  It is to be noted that when Emperor Menelik II in his declaration of war said “you who are strong help me with your arms, you who are weak help me with your prayers” it was not just his Empress and his nobles who followed him north with their armies to confront the invader.  Even rebels and bandits put down their grievances to join him to repel the enemy and rushed northward to die for God, King and Country.  It is the perfect example of how unity is strength.

The Victory at Adwa not only established Ethiopia on the world stage and guaranteed recognition of her independence.  It also inspired a fire in the hearts of all Africans and people of African descent around the world.  It lit a spark that inspired Pan-Africanism, the independence movements across the continent, and the struggle for equality and respect for all people in Africa and the diaspora.  Adwa was the catalyst which launched the liberation of the oppressed and the eventual dismantling of European colonialism in Africa.  It inspired the efforts of my grandfather, Emperor Haile Selassie I and his government to work towards the establishment of the Organization of Arican Unity which is now the African Union.  It also inspired his dedication to the cause for freedom in South Africa fighting Apartheid and offering tangible support to Nelson Mandela in his struggle, including providing him with a passport and training.

So, as you celebrate the great Victory of Adwa, know that this is not just a victory for Ethiopia, but a victory for all Africans and all freedom loving people.  May the bonds that tie us together strengthen and may God bless Ethiopia, Africa, and all of you gathered to celebrate this day.

 Sincerely yours,

Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie

February 11, 2026 / የካቲት 4, 2018

The Crown Council of Ethiopia, in its capacity as the Constitutional body which advises the reigning Emperors of Ethiopia and, during an interregnum, acts in the authority of the Crown — its members initially appointed by an Emperor and subsequently sustained or replaced under the direction of the President of the Council — pauses in its deliberations and works of good order to issue this Proclamation:

We, His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, Prince of Ethiopia, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, Protector of Ethiopian Heritage, by the Grace of God and the Trust of History,

In the spirit of Christian charity and mindful of the sacred duty owed to the suffering, do hereby proclaim and join in the observance of the World Day of the Sick on the Eleventh Day of February in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, Yektatit (የካቲት) 4, 2018, in the Ethiopian Calendar, a day hallowed by prayer, healing, and hope.

This annual ecumenical observance, instituted by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1992, calls the faithful, and all people of good heart and good will, to unite in prayer and solidarity with those burdened by illness, infirmity, poverty, and isolation, and to honor with gratitude those who care for them with devotion, sacrifice, and compassion.

Under the theme for the 2026 observance, “The compassion of the Samaritan: Loving by bearing the pain of others,” the world is invited to renew its examination the conscience of mind and provide a concrete response to the Gospel mandate of mercy.

This year marks the Thirty-Fourth World Day of the Sick, to be solemnly commemorated through special Masses, prayers, and works of mercy throughout the world. On this occasion, we join with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who has called upon all the faithful to become true neighbors to those who suffer, offering not only words of comfort, but presence, accompaniment, and enduring support. And, in this call, we embrace Ethiopians of all Faiths and traditions hallowed through the Empire.

This eleventh day stands as a solemn reminder that authentic greatness is found in faithful and humble service, and that compassion must be made visible through actions and deeds.

Therefore, We do exhort and encourage all faithful members, institutions, and communities to observe this day with prayer, acts of charity, and a renewed commitment to the dignified care of the sick and vulnerable, that no one who suffers may feel forgotten or alone.

Given under Our Hand and Seal,
at Our Crown Council,
on this Fourth Day of Yekatit (የካቲት)
in the Year of Our Lord, 2018.

Crown Council Mourns Passing of Princess Gelila Fesseha

9 DECEMBER 2025 / 30 ኅዳር 2018 – It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Her Imperial Highness Gelilamariam Fesseha Gebre-Selassie on December 9^th, 2025.  Princess Gelila was the former wife of H.I.H. Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia. She is thus the mother of his sons, H.I.H. Prince Christian Ermias Sahle-Selassie and H.I.H. Prince Rufael Ermias Sahle-Selassie.  Princess Gelila was the daughter of the late Ethiopian Supreme Court Justice Afenigus Fesseha Gebre-Selassie and his wife Woizero Asselefech and thus the niece of the late Professor Asrat Woldeyes, prominent surgeon and a leading opposition political leader in the post-Derg era as founder of the All Amhara Peoples Party.

Princess Gelila was very active in humanitarian causes connected with Ethiopia and was a vocal critic of the human rights record of the post-Derg regime.   She campaigned tirelessly for the rights of political prisoners during the EPRDF regime.  She was one of the leading voices leading the movement to pressure the Ethiopian government at the time to free her uncle Professor Asrat from detention and highlighted the plight of all prisoners of conscience. 

May Almighty God comfort their Imperial Highnesses her children, her mother, siblings and all her friends and family.  May her soul rest in paradise among the blessed.

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በኅዳር ፴ ፤ ፳፻፲፰ ዓም ልዕልት ገሊላማርያም ፍሥሐ ገብረ ሥላሴ ከዚህ ዓለም በሞት መለየታቸውን በታላቅ ሐዘን እንገልጻለን።  ልዕልት ገሊላ የልዑል ኤርሚያስ ሣህለ ሥላሴ የቀድሞ ባለቤት ሲሆኑ የልዑል ክርስቲያን ኤርሚያስ ሣህለ ሥላሴ እና የልዑል ሩፋኤል ኤርሚያስ ሣህለ ሥላሴ እናት ነበሩ።  የልዕልት ገሊላ ወላጆች የክቡር አፈንጉሥ ፍሥሐ ገብረ ሥላሴ እና ባለቤታቸው ክብርት ወይዘሮ አሰለፍች ሲሆኑ፥ ታዋቂው የቀዶ ጥገና ሐኪም እና ከደርግ ውድቀት በሗላ የተቃዋሚ ፖለቲካ እንቅስቃሴ መሪ የነበሩት ፕሮፌሰር አስራት ወልደየስ አጎታቸው ነበሩ። ፕሮፌሰር አስራት ወልደየስ እንደሚታወቀው የመላ አማራ ሕዝብ ድርጅት (መአሕድ) መስራችና መሪ ነበሩ።

ልዕልት ገሊላ ከኢትዮጵያ ጋር በተያያዙ በጎ አድራጎት እንቅስቃሴዎች ተሳታፊ ነበሩ። በተለይ በኢሕአዴግ ዘመነ መንግሥት ስለ ፓለቲካ እስረኞች ድምጻቸውን በሰፊው አሰምተዋል። አጎታቸውን ፕሮፌሰር አስራት እና ሌሎችም የፓለቲካ እስረኞች ከእስር እንዲፈቱ ይጥር በነበረውን እንቅስቃሴ ከፍተኛ ሚና ተጫውተዋል።  ልዕልት ገሊላ በቤተሰቦቻቸው እና በወዳጆቻቸው በጣም የተወደዱ እና የተከበሩ ሰው ነበሩ።

እግዚአብሔር ለልጆቻቸው፥ ለእናታቸው፥ ለእህትና ወንድሞቻቸው፥ እንዲሁም ለመላ ቤተሰባቸውና ወዳጆቻቸው ጽናቱን እንዲሰጣቸው እንለምናለን። ንፍሳቸውን በአፀደ ገነት ያኑርልን።

On this 146^th anniversary of the repose of Prince Alemayehu Tewodros, I offer my deepest gratitude to the Ethiopian community in the United Kingdom for gathering to honor his memory in unity. It is profoundly meaningful that this memorial was held at St. George’s Chapel in the very same place I was humbled to unveil a plaque commemorating the Victory of Gondar — another powerful moment in which our shared history was illuminated through remembrance.

I extend heartfelt thanks to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church for offering a spiritual ceremony worthy of Prince Alemayehu’s legacy, connecting us across generations and countries through prayer, faith, and tradition. Today’s gathering brings not only remembrance, but also a measure of healing and long-awaited closure for the direct descendants and family of Emperor Tewodros II, who have carried the weight of this history for nearly a century and a half.

I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to His Majesty King Charles III and extend my sincere gratitude to the Dean of Windsor and St. George’s Chapel Chapter of St. George’s Chapel for their continued support of efforts that help build bridges, nurture healing, and bring communities ever closer together.

May this anniversary strengthen our resolve to honor our history, culture and traditions with truth, dignity, and hope as efforts to build bridges and unite people and communities in a spirit of grace and healing continue.

HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile Selassie

President pf the Crown Council of Ethiopia

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የልዑል አለማየሁ ቴዎድሮስ ህልፈተ-ሕይወትና የመታሰብያ ዝክረ-በዓልን አስመልክቶ የተሰጠ መግለጫ

ልዑል አለማየሁ ቴዎድሮስ ባረፉ በ146ኛው ዓመት ለንደን ከተማ የሚገኘው የኢትዮጵያ ማህበር ህልፈተ-ሕይወታቸውን በአንድነት ለመዘከር ስለተሰባሰቡ ከፍተኛ ምስጋናና ደስታዬን ለመግለጽ እወዳለሁ። የጋራ ታሪካችንም በሆነው የጎንደር ድል፣ መታሰብያ ይሆን ዘንድ፣ ከሁለት ዓመት በፊት የቅርጽ ድንጋይ ቆሜ ባስመረቅኩት ቦታ ላይ ለልዑል አለማየሁ ከ146 ዓመታት በኋላ ጸሎተ- ፍትሃት መደረጉ ጥልቅ ትርጉምና ወሳኝነት ያለው ነው።

የልዑል አለማየሁን ህልፈተ-ሕይወት አስመልክቶ ለተደረገው ዝክርና ጸሎተ- ፍትሃት፣ የኢትዮጵያን ተዋህዶ ቤተ ክርስቲያን ከልብ ላመሰግን እወዳለሁ። ለግማሽ ምዕት ዓመት ግድም፣ የዐጼ ቴዎድሮስ ቀጥተኛ ተወላጆችና ቤተስቦች ይሄንን ዕድል እስከዛሬ ድረስ ያላገኙ በመሆናቸው ቤተሰባዊ ሸክምና ሃዘናቸውን አቅልሎላቸዋል ብለን ተስፋ እናደርጋለን። ለብዙ ዓመታት ያዘሉት ግዙፍ ታሪካዊ ሸክምና ጫና ቀላል አልነበረም። እግዚአብሔር የልዑል አለማየሁን ጸሎተ-ፍትሃትና የመታሰብያ ዝክረ-በዓል ቤተሰቡ እንዲያይ ስለፈቀደ ምንም ነገር ለማይሳነው አምላካችን ክበረትና ምስጋና ይግባው። ለአጼ ታዎድሮስ በተሰብና ለመላው የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ እንኳን ደስ አለን።

መቼስ፣ በአንድ እጅ እንደማይጨበጨበው ሁሉ፣ እስካሁንም ድረስ፣ ላልተቋረጠው ለጋስነታቸው ለንጉሥ ቻርልስ 3ኛ ከፍተኛ ምስጋናችንን እናቀርባለን። ዲን ዊንድዘርና ዊንድዘር ካስል ውስጥ ለሚገኘው ቅዱስ ጊዮርጊስ ቤተ ክርስቲያንም እንደዚሁም በዘውድ ምክር ቤታችን ስም ሆኜ ልባዊ ምስጋናዬን አቀርባለሁ።

የልዑል አለማየሁ ህልፈተ-ሕይወትና የመታሰብያ ዝክረ-በዓል ለወደፊቱም ድልድይ በመሆን፣ ታሪካችን፣ ባህልና ዕሴቶቻችን ሕዝብን ከሕዝብ ለማቀራረብ፣ እንዲሁም ለሰው ልጆች ተስፋ፣ ሰላም፣ ፍቅር፣ ምሕረትና አንድነት እንድናውለው ያብቃን።

ኃያሉ እግዚአብሔር ኢትዮጵያን እና ሕዝቧን ይጠብቅልን።

ልዑል ኤርምያስ ሣሕለ ሥላሴ ኃይለ ሥላሴ የዘውድ ምክር ቤት ፕሬዝዳንት

For other news coverage, see: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/amharic/am/article/the-146th-memorial-service-of-prince-alemayehu-tewodros-homeland-news/mxxokwlv0

31 October 2025 – The Crown Council of Ethiopia expresses its shock and deep sadness at the news of the massacre of 25 innocent members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the Arsi Archdiocese within the Oromia Federal State.  In recent years the targeted killing of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia has become a regular occurrence.  Just this past June there was news of a massacre of monks at the Debre Kewakibt Ziquala monastery, and there have been numerous other instances in recent years.  We urge the authorities to take steps to protect the faithful from those elements who continue to persecute and kill people, targeting them on the basis of religion, ethnicity or any other criteria.  The right to live and worship peacefully is a basic human right that must be upheld.  May God repose the souls of those who have been killed, and may He comfort the bereaved.

May Almighty God protect Ethiopia and her people.

H.I.H. Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie
President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

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የኢትዮጵያ ዘውድ ምክር ቤት በኦሮምያ ክልል ውስጥ በሚገኘው አርሲ አገረ ስብከት የተፈጸመው አስደንጋጭ እና አሰቃቂ የ፳፭ ኦርቶዶክሳዊያን ግድያ እንዳሳዘነው ይገልጻል። በአለፉት ዓመታት የኢትዮጵያ ኦርቶዶክስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን ተከታዮች ላይ ያነጣጠረ ግድያ ሲደጋገም ታይቷል። ባለፈው ሰኔ ወር እንደዚሁ በደብረ ከዋክብት ዝቋላ ገዳም የሚገኙ መነኮሳትም እንደዚሁ መገደላቸውን እናስታውሳለን። በተመሳሳይ ሁነታ እንደዚህ ያሉ ግድያዎች ባለፉት ዓመታት ተደጋግመዋል። የሚመለከታቸው አካላት ምዕመናንን በሐይማኖት እና በብሔር ለይተው ከሚያንገላቱ እና ነፍስ ከሚያጠፉ እንዲጠብቋቸው እናሳስባለን። ሐይማኖትን በነፃነት እየተከተሉ መኖር ከሰብአዊ መብቶች ዋነኞች መሃል በመሆኑ ሊጠበቅ ይገባል። እግዚአብሔር የሙታኑን ነፍስ ይማርልን። ያዘኑትንም ጽናቱን ይስጥልን።

ኃያሉ እግዚአብሔር ኢትዮጵያን እና ሕዝቧን ይጠብቅልን።

ልዑል ኤርምያስ ሣሕለ ሥላሴ ኃይለ ሥላሴ የዘውድ ምክር ቤት ፕሬዝዳንት

30 October 2025 – The Crown Council of Ethiopia expresses its sympathies, concern and solidarity for the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean region impacted by Hurricane Melissa. This Hurricane is the strongest ever to hit the island of Jamaica on record and is currently still impacting other islands in the region. While the full impact of this storm has not been assessed, it is clear that the storm has already had a devastating effect on lives and property.

This natural disaster will require a great deal of work mobilizing recovery efforts on an international level. The Crown Council and its affiliated organizations will do everything they can to assist in this effort. We call on all Caribbean nations, and all African and diaspora communities to join us in this task.

We pray for a swift and full recovery for the people of Jamaica and for all the people of the region impacted by this storm. May God be with you all.

H.I.H. Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie
President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

27 October 2025 – His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, as President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, has sent a letter of condolences to His Majesty Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), King of Thailand, on the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Siritkit, the Queen Mother. Her Late Majesty was the widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), and mother to the current King. Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, passed away on October 24th, 2025 in Bangkok.

His Imperial Highness recalled the long ties of friendship between the Imperial House of Ethiopia and the Royal House of Thailand, particularly the state visit of his grandfather Emperor Haile Selassie I to Thailand in 1968 when he was hosted by their Late Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. He also recalled meeting Queen Sirikit along with His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn (Crown Prince at the time) during their visit to Washington DC in 2002.

His Imperial Highness offered his most sincere condolences to His Majesty the King, to royal family, and all the people of Thailand at this sad time. May Her Majesty’s memory be eternal.