THOUSANDS QUEUE TO PAY LAST RESPECTS TO LATE QUEEN MOTHER
Thousands of Basotho have queued from the Royal Palace's main gate,
taking the opportunity to pay their last respects to the remains of the late
Queen Mother 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso. The late Queen Mother's remains
arrived at the Royal Palace early on Thursday morning escorted by the
Lesotho Defence Force band, members of the Royal family, Prime Minister, his
Deputy and their wives, cabinet ministers and Senior government officials,
where she is to be open for viewing until late in the afternoon, when her
body will be transferred to Matsieng.
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Lesotho Defence Force Pall Bearers carry the coffin of the Queen Mother,( draped with the Royal Standard flag) as Her remains leave the Royal Palace to Matsieng Royal village. |
| Pic. M.Kheleli |
Upon
arrival at the Royal Palace, a short prayer lead by the Roman Catholic Church
was conducted. When the time was ripe to see the late Queen Mother's body,
first on the queue were members of the royal family, who with tears in their
eyes, marched slowly, bowing their heads next to the body to show respect. Some
of them took their time before leaving the coffin, looking at the Queen
Mother's body lying gently in her coffin with disbelief, while some even
went as far as kissing her corpse.
Following
members of the Royal family was the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili
and his wife Mrs. Mathato Mosisili, the Speaker of the National Assembly Ms
Ntlhoi Motsamai, the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Lesao Lehohla and Cabinet
Ministers, who mostly bowed their heads in respect. Heads of Diplomatic
Corps also queued along with the others to show their respects, after which
Parliamentarians had their chance followed by senior government officials.
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Their Majesties and the Prime Minister leave the Royal Palace to follow the Queen Mother's cortege to Matsieng, where the remains of the late Queen Mother will be laid to rest. |
|
Pic. M.Kheleli |
Viewing
the body for the second time were her daughters in law, Queen 'Masenate
Mohato Bereng Seeiso and Chieftainess 'Mabereng Seeiso, who stared at her
for a few minutes, also in disbelief. The long queue of Basotho nationals,
who confirmed to have started their line from as early as 4 am, started
flowing from the Palace's main gate while departing by the gate near Radio
Lesotho.
At
Matsieng, an opportunity will also be awarded to those who could not make it
to Maseru to pay their last respects to the Late Queen Mother, who will be
laid to rest at St Louis Catholic mission in Matsieng on Friday.
18 September 2003