King Charles
That’s what Nelson Mandela called the Queen
Cyril Ramaphosa and King Charles
© Samir Hussein / Getty Images
During a state visit from South Africa, King Charles revealed the nickname Nelson Mandela once gave his mother Queen Elizabeth.
A very special gathering: On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, King Charles, 74, received South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, 70, for a two-day state visit. For Charles, it was the first official reception as reigning monarch of Great Britain.
King Charles receives South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa
Even his late mother Queen Elizabeth, †96, had a special relationship with South Africa: The late monarch felt closely connected to the freedom fighter and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, †95. As the British “Daily Mirror” reports, Charles also emphasized this at the festive state banquet in Buckingham Palace, which was planned before the Queen’s death. His mother “always spoke very warmly about her return to your country,” the king told South African President Ramaphosa.
Two who felt connected: In 1996, Queen Elizabeth received Nelson Mandela.
©Julian Parker/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela were very close
Charles continued: “During my visit to South Africa in 1997, President Mandela told me he had given my mother a special name – Motlalepula, which means ‘come with rain’.” He was assured that this was a sign of the special affection Mandela had for the Queen and not a reference to the English weather. Charles added that the ties between the two countries are very deep, both familial, professional and cultural.
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The 1995 visit was accompanied by rainfall
Also on the official homepage of the “Nelson Mandela Foundation” A statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth read: “We fondly remember the royal state visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to South Africa in 1995. We see it as a turning point in the historic relationship between our countries, who are now solid partners for peace and prosperity. As a token of our affection for Her Majesty, we gave her the name Motlalepula because her visit coincided with torrential rains such as we had not seen in a long time.” This was due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Sources used: mirror.co.uk, nelsonmandela.org