Swaziland Is For Lovers: Protests Over Consumption of Expanding Royal Family

Swaziland may be one of the poorest countries on Earth, but that did not stop its King Mswati III from throwing a massive birthday party for himself or send his various wives on a shopping blasts to Europe on private planes. Despite his control of the country’s finances, the King enjoys about $30 million was set aside for “royal emoluments.”

The King regularly gives a new BMW, palace, and large staff to his new wives.

The King’s family controls the nation’s most valuable industries, raking in $200 million.

His father, Sobhuza II, was more frugal with expenses but more free with wives — he had as mand as 110.

For the first time, some protests have been seen in the country, but they do not appear to have had much impact on the royally conspicuous consumption.

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