SRINAGAR: An old video of Eswatini’s King Mswati III arriving in Abu Dhabi has resurfaced online, reigniting debate over the African monarch’s extravagant lifestyle and the deep poverty facing his country. The footage, first seen in July, shows the king stepping off a private jet dressed in traditional leopard-print attire, surrounded by a large entourage that included several wives and children.
According to reports appearing in the media, the king was accompanied by 15 of his 30 wives, 30 children, and around 100 attendants during his arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport on July 10, 2025. The delegation’s size reportedly caused a temporary disruption at the airport, forcing security officials to shut down three terminals to accommodate the royal party.
In the widely circulated clip, a group of elegantly dressed women follow the king as he walks through the terminal, while attendants manage piles of royal luggage. A text overlay in the viral video reads: “Swaziland king arrived at Abu Dhabi with 15 wives and 100 servants. His father, King Sobhuza II, had 125 wives.”
The footage has since prompted criticism on social media, with users highlighting the stark contrast between the monarch’s wealth and the living conditions of ordinary Eswatini citizens. One user wrote, “All this while his people have no electricity or running water,” while another questioned, “Is this a rich enough country to afford a private jet?” Others condemned the opulence in stronger terms: “This person roams in private jets while his people starve to death,” said one comment, while another read, “And they want money to feed children in Africa.”
The spectacle also drew humour online, with one user joking, “The king’s entourage looks like an entire village,” and another quipping, “Is there any coordinator in his house to manage all his wives?”
King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, has ruled the small southern African nation since 1986. According to multiple media reports, his personal fortune exceeds $1 billion. The king controls stakes in companies spanning construction, tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, and forestry, as reported by Swaziland News.
However, his reign has been marked by controversy over economic mismanagement and lavish spending. Around 60 per cent of Eswatini’s 1.2 million citizens live below the poverty line. The country’s health and education systems have largely collapsed, with frequent shortages of drugs in public hospitals and financially struggling students forced to drop out of university due to lack of funds. The World Bank recorded a rise in unemployment from 23 per cent to 33.3 per cent in 2021, alongside soaring costs of essential goods.
Critics say the king’s luxurious lifestyle, often showcased in public appearances and foreign trips, underscores the growing economic divide between the monarchy and ordinary citizens.
While official reports suggested that King Mswati’s visit to Abu Dhabi was aimed at exploring economic cooperation and investment opportunities with UAE leaders, the opulent nature of his arrival has overshadowed the diplomatic purpose. In the viral footage, the king appears half-dressed in ceremonial leopard-print fabric, accompanied by his colourfully dressed wives and a team of attendants.
The king’s father, Sobhuza II, was also known for his large royal household—reportedly having 70 to 125 wives, more than 200 children, and hundreds of grandchildren. King Mswati, continuing that legacy, is said to take a new bride each year during the traditional Reed Dance ceremony, a cultural event that has drawn both admiration and sharp criticism from rights groups.
The video’s reappearance has sparked intense debate not just about monarchy and modernity but also about the ethics of wealth in a nation struggling with poverty. Social media platforms have been flooded with memes, commentary, and calls for accountability.
A widely shared comment summed up the sentiment: “He’s living in the 18th century while his people live in crisis.”
While the Eswatini government has not commented on the viral video, analysts say the king’s lavish public image could deepen growing domestic resentment against the royal establishment.
For now, the video of King Mswati III’s dramatic arrival in Abu Dhabi remains a vivid symbol of a monarchy out of step with its people, where tradition, power, and privilege collide under the global gaze of social media.
