Princess Seble Desta

Princess Seble Desta (1 September 1931 – 3 January 2023) was a member of the Solomonic dynasty, which ruled Ethiopia until 1974. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was the daughter of Princess Tenagnework Haile Selassie and Ras Desta Damtew, and granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Empress Menen Asfaw. Princess Seble's paternal grandfather, Fitawrari Damtew Ketema, was martyred during the Ethiopian victory against the Italians at Adwa. Princess Seble was one of eight children born to Princess Tenagnework, including Princess Aida Desta, Lij Amaha Desta (who died young), Princess Ruth Desta, Princess Sophia Desta, Iskinder Desta, Princess Mary Retta and Woizerit Mentewab Andargatchew (who died in childhood). During Mussolinis's invasion of Ethiopia Emperor Haile Selassie, Empress Menen and many members of their family were exiled in Bath, England. Princess Seble's father, Ras Desta, remained in Ethiopia fighting the Italians. In 1937, his location was betrayed and he was captured and killed, against all prisoner of war norms. Princess Seble completed all of her education in England, initially at Clarendon School for Girls and attended Lady Margaret Hall College, Oxford University.