Queen Ranavalona III was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar, ruling from 1883 to 1897. Her reign was marked by efforts to resist French colonization, including strengthening diplomatic ties and modernizing her kingdom. Despite her determination, Madagascar fell to French forces in 1895, and Ranavalona III was exiled to Réunion and later Algeria in 1897. She spent the remainder of her life in exile, never returning to her homeland, and died in Algiers in 1917.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Born Princess Razafindrahety on 22 November 1861, Ranavalona III was the niece of Queen Ranavalona II and a descendant of King Andrianampoinimerina, the founder of the Merina Kingdom also known as the Kingdom of Madagascar. Her royal lineage made her a natural candidate for the throne. Educated by missionaries from the London Missionary Society, she was known for her intelligence, love of learning, and strong moral character.
In 1883, following the death of Queen Ranavalona II, Princess Razafindrahety was crowned Queen Ranavalona III. Her coronation was a grand event, breaking tradition by including schoolchildren in the ceremony, symbolizing her commitment to education and progress. The queen was described in the American press in the following terms: “She is a little above the ordinary height and has delicate features, her complexion is a little darker than that of most of her subjects. She appears quite timid and she presides well at the solemn functions of her court.”
Like her two predecessors, Ranavalona entered a political marriage with Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, who managed the kingdom’s day-to-day governance and foreign affairs.
The French Aggression
Ranavalona III’s reign was dominated by the growing threat of French colonization. France had long sought to control Madagascar, and tensions escalated in the 1880s. The Franco-Hova War (1883–1896) was a series of conflicts between the Merina Kingdom and France, culminating in the French invasion of Madagascar.
Despite her efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with foreign powers, including the United States and Britain, Ranavalona III was unable to secure the support needed to resist French aggression. The French bombarded coastal towns and, in 1895, captured the capital, Antananarivo. The royal palace was seized, and Madagascar’s sovereignty was effectively ended.
Exile and Life in Réunion and Algeria
Initially, Ranavalona III was allowed to remain as a symbolic figurehead, but the outbreak of the Menalamba rebellion—a popular resistance movement against French rule— and the discovery of anti-French political activities at the royal court led to her exile. In 1897, she was sent to the island of Réunion, along with members of her family. Later, she was relocated to Algiers, Algeria, where she lived in a villa provided by the French government.
In exile, Ranavalona III maintained a comfortable lifestyle, supported by an allowance from the French colonial administration. She made several trips to Paris, where she was received with admiration and sympathy by the French public. Despite her repeated requests to return to Madagascar, she was never permitted to do so.
Death and Legacy
Ranavalona III died in Algiers on 23 May 1917, at the age of 55, from an embolism. Her remains were initially buried in Algiers but were later repatriated to Madagascar in 1938 and interred in the tomb of Queen Rasoherina at the Rova of Antananarivo. Tragically, a fire in 1995 destroyed much of the Rova, but Ranavalona III’s remains were saved and reinterred at Ambohimanga, a sacred site for the Merina people.
Ranavalona III’s legacy is one of resilience and resistance. Her efforts to preserve Madagascar’s independence in the face of overwhelming colonial forces highlight the struggles every African nation faced during the era of European imperialism. Though her reign ended in defeat, her story continues to inspire those who fight for sovereignty and self-determination.
Sources:
https://books.google.com.ng/books?redir_esc=y&id=uPU8AQAAIAAJ&q=Madagascar#v=snippet&q=Madagascar&f=false
https://www.kerrytaylorauctions.com/blog/51/
