Queen Ranavalona

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Ranavalona III, last queen of Madagascar. She ruled from July 30, 1883, to February 28, 1897, in a reign marked by ongoing and ultimately futile efforts to resist the colonial designs of the government of France.The Merina kings and queens who ruled over greater Madagascar in the 19th century were the descendants of a long line of hereditary Merina royalty, stretching back in oral traditions to such sources as the first human inhabitants.

Ranavalona II, Queen of Madagascar, was lying on her deathbed; the crown was being prepared to pass to the young 21 year old Princess Razafindrahety. On the 13th of July 1883, Queen Ranavalona II had passed into the next life. Her niece was subsequently proclaimed her successor under the name Ranavalona III. Her coronation took place on her 22nd birthday. She was formally proclaimed Her Majesty Ranavalona III, By the grace of God and the Will of the People, Queen of Madagascar, and Protectoress of the laws of the Nation. 

The new queen was described in the American press: “She is a little above the ordinary height and has delicate features, her complexion is a little darker than that of most of her subjects. She appears quite timid and she presides well at the solemn functions of her court.”

As agreed to under the conditions of the earlier Aristocratic Revolution, Ranavalona III consented to marry her prime minister her significantly senior Rainilaiarivony, who had been married previously to Queen Rasoherina and Queen Ranavalona II. The marriage was, of course, purely ceremonial, the couple having to real intimate feeling towards one another (there was doubt if their marriage had ever been consummated).

The French it seemed decided that now was the proper time for annexation. In December 1883, France formally declared war on Madagascar. This war became known as the Franco-Hova War or the Franco-Malagasy War. 

Ranavalona III appealed to the now peaceful America for assistance by sending the then President Grover Cleveland gifts including silk akotofahana cloths, an ivory pin and a hand-woven basket. But the United States took no interest in asserting Madagascar’s independence and seemed to (morally) support the French having recently overthrown Hawaii’s time honored monarchy.

After a series of temporarily successful treaties between Madagascar and France, France launched a full scale invasion of the island. Six-thousand French soldiers lost their lives to disease as they gradually moved inland towards the capital. In September 1895 after nearly three days of being bombarded with heavy artillery Ranavalona III admitted defeat. On January 1st, 1896, Madagascar was formally annexed and declared a French Colony.

At first little changed in Ranavalona III’s life. She still held court and continued to live at the royal palace in Madagascar. But fearing that she would stir rebellion among the people it was decided that the ex-Queen Ranavalona III be deported to Reunion Island, off Madagascar’s coast. Despite France’s best efforts to keep the transferring quiet, a crowd of French onlookers jeered and shouted as the boat docked at Reunion Island, angry at the queen for the loss of French lives during France’s campaign to occupy Madagascar. While on the island Ranavalona III’s niece Razafinandriamanitra gave birth at fifteen to the child of a French soldier who raped the young Princess. The child proved to be a girl, christened in a Catholic ceremony as Marie-Louise in the hopes of appeasing the French. If Ranavalona III were to ever retake the throne, Marie-Louise would become her heir.

After two years it was decided to move the Queen and her household to Algeria. Ranavalona hoped to continue to Paris but was disappointed when she was denied entrance. When she arrived in Algeria she proclaimed in tears “Who is certain of tomorrow? Only yesterday I was a queen; today I am simply an unhappy, broken-hearted woman.”

Luckily Ranavalona seemed to be well accepted among the Algerian elite, being constantly invited to parties and cultural events.

After several years in Algeria she was allowed to visit Paris which she did six times over the course of her lifetime before WWI broke out. Ranavalona III died suddenly May 23rd 1917 in Algeria having never returned to Madagascar despite two formal requests in 1910 and 1912. 

She was buried among her ancestors in her familial tomb in Madagascar. Her niece Marie-Louise was recognized as the Queen’s heir apparent. Having married once and becoming a nurse (being awarded the Legion of Honor for her medical services during World War II), Mari-Louise died January 18th 1948 leaving no descendants and was buried in France.

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