In a powerful blend of history, diplomacy, and cultural remembrance, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has completed a landmark visit to the United Kingdom, retracing the historic journey of his great-grandfather, King Cetshwayo, and breathing new life into Zulu-British relations.
Accompanied by Queen Silhe KaMdluli, the Zulu monarch’s itinerary included poignant stops on 12 July 2025 at the Royal Welsh Regimental Museum in Brecon and St Martin-in-the-Fields Cathedral in London — both symbolic touchpoints in the centuries-old Zulu-British historical arc.
At the museum, once a symbol of conflict, King Misuzulu was received with honour, presented with the Royal Welsh Wall Plaque and Regimental Tie Crest — a rare gesture of respect from a regiment that once fought against Zulu forces at Isandlwana in 1879. He also met the regiment’s ceremonial goat mascot, a lighthearted yet profound moment of peace and reconciliation between historical adversaries.
The visit deepened with an emotional meeting between the King and Mrs Dorcas Creswell, a devoted advocate for Zulu heritage, previously honoured by the late King Zwelithini for her efforts in promoting heritage diplomacy. King Misuzulu expressed heartfelt gratitude for her continued support in building bridges between cultures.
At St Martin-in-the-Fields Cathedral, a special ceremony was held to commemorate King Cetshwayo’s 1882 visit to Britain — a moment steeped in both remembrance and reverence. Addressing those gathered, King Misuzulu reflected: “We do not carry history to mourn it, but to honour it,” echoing a message of peace, humility, and mutual respect.
His visit, described by many as a masterclass in cultural diplomacy, reaffirmed the Zulu Kingdom’s enduring relevance in global conversations around reconciliation, identity, and unity. In revisiting painful pasts with dignity, the King has signaled a future shaped not by division, but by shared understanding and legacy.
In a world still grappling with the weight of colonial history, King Misuzulu’s journey stood as a powerful reminder: history need not divide — it can also heal, inspire, and unite across continents and centuries.
