Kerry Taylor Auctions has come into possession of some personal belongings of the Madagascan last queen, Ranavalona III. The items were discovered by Clara Herbert’s descendant, who was moving houses. Herbert was an aid to the Madagascan royal family for close to two decades.
Inside the attic was a box with a collection of letters, photographs, and postcards. Most stunning was a pink 19th Century pearl beaded dress and stockings believed to have belonged to Ranavalona III. The items were left under the man’s care by her deceased mother, who passed on several years ago.
Taylor, using Herbert’s, personal belongings has tried to recreate the history of the last queen of Madagascar.
The History of Madagascan Last Queen
Princess Razafindrahety (Ranavalona III) was born on November 22, 1861. As a young woman, she married Andriana (nobleman), by the name Ratrimo. Razafindrahety later became a young widow after the death of her husband on May 8, 1883. It is believed that the then Madagascan Prime Minister poisoned her husband.
On July 30, 1883, she became the queen upon the death of her predecessor Ranavalona II. Like her two predecessors, she married the Prime Minister of Madagascar, Rainilairivony, for political reasons.
During her reign, she strengthened diplomatic relations and traded with Great Britain and the United States to forestall colonization.
However, in 1896, Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, was eventually captured by the French. Consequently, the French seized the royal palace, marking the end of the Kingdom’s autonomy and sovereignty.
Afterward, the French exiled Rainilairivony to Algeria (Algiers) while Ranavalona III and her court remained back as symbolic heads. Ranavalona’s influential aunt, Ramisindarazana, was accused of inciting rebels against the French. This resulted in the queen’s family being exiled to the Island of Reunion in 1897.
Shortly after Rainilairivony’s death the same year, Ranavalona and her family were relocated to a villa in Algeria. At Algeria, everyone who accompanied her, including the servants, lived comfortably. Occasionally, the French permitted her to go to Paris for sight-seeing and shopping.
In spite of her good French rapport, they never permitted her to visit Madagascar. At the age of 55, Ranavalona died of an embolism at Algiers. Twenty-one years later, after being buried in Algiers, her remains were shipped back to Madagascar and buried in Antananarivo.
How do the discovered items reconcile with history?
About the bit that Ranavalona III enjoyed life in Algiers, there is photographic evidence. Taylor describes her as looking healthy and beautiful during her stay in Algiers. She remarks that Ranavalona looks like a different woman altogether.
Concerning her lavish trips to Paris, there is also a photograph to prove that. Taylor again describes another photo where she is dressed in the best French fashion.
Another photograph shows 14-year-old princess Razafinandriamanitra, Ranavalona’s nephew, pregnant bearing a French soldier’s child.
Taylor is set to auction the box contents, including souvenirs, for a total estimated amount of £1,000-£1,500. However, she admits the amount is not enough to quantify the historical value of the items. A historical enthusiast would understand this.
