Queen Ranavalona III, Madagascar last Queen

(1861 – 1917)

Reign : July 30, 1883 to February 28, 1897

The exile in Algiers

The reign of Queen Ranavalona III was over. She was dethroned by the French government. The dethronement was because of Some of unfavorable of the new world foreign element which was rapidly gaining full control of the land removing the essence of the old to bring in the new industrial propaganda this caused her people to rebel against the French protectorate. Loyalty to the Queen was held to be at the root of the disturbance. Under the rule of the French Government, they believed it was necessary to remove the Queen from her throne in order to restore order in the land.

When the Queen’s flag was lowered at the palace the situation was quickly surmised. The people were told that the Queen went on a long travel mission away from the capital. She would never return. In 1897 Madagascar was declared to be a French colony, and no longer a protectorate.

She was exiled to Algeria. They made sure she was well taken care of appropriately such as health provisions, suitable allowance and a villa . Her aunt and sister accompanied her into exile, and her old friend and adviser, Miss Herbert.

Queen Ranavalona was never allowed to step foot back on her land soil. Eventually she passed away due to an embolism at her villa in Algiers in 1917 at the age of 55. Her remains were buried in Algiers but were disinterred 21 years later and shipped to Madagascar, where they were placed within the tomb of Queen Rasoherina on the grounds of the Rova of Antananarivo.