Colorized photo of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, born Lij Tafari Makonnen, (1892 - 1975) in the royal enclosure during his coronation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1930. A man holds an umbrella over Selassie’s head. (Photo by Burton Holmes)

---

Haile Selassie I (23 July 1892 – 27 August 1975), born Tafari Makonnen, was Ethiopia's regent from 1916 to 1930 and Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He was the heir to a dynasty that traced its origins to the 13th century, and from there by tradition back to King Solomon and Queen Makeda, Empress of Axum, known in the Abrahamic tradition as the Queen of Sheba. Haile Selassie is a defining figure in both Ethiopian and African history. He was crowned on 2 November 1930, at Addis Ababa's Cathedral of St. George. The coronation was by all accounts "a most splendid affair", and it was attended by royals and dignitaries from all over the world. Among those in attendance were George V's son Prince Henry, Marshal Franchet d'Esperey of France, and the Prince of Udine representing Italy. Emissaries from the United States, Egypt, Turkey, Sweden, Belgium, and Japan were also present.

---

Size: 5469px × 4963px
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Photo credit: © Burton Holmes Historical Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 20th, archival, bhhc, burton, cape, century, ceremony, color, emperor, historic, historical, holmes, regal, royalty, umbrella