Madagascar’s queen, Ranavalona III, was born Princess Razafindrahety in Amparibe, Manjakazafy, Madagascar, on November 22, 1861. She was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar. Reared as a Protestant, her formal education was completed privately by London Missionary Society instructors. Her parents were Andriantsimianatra and his wife and cousin, Princess Razafindrahety, who was the great-granddaughter of King Andrianampoinimerina. Her older sister was Princess Rasendranoro.
While Queen Ranavalona III did not have any biological children, after the death of her influential aunt, Princess Razafinandriamanitra, she adopted the Princess’s surviving infant, Marie-Louise, and made her heir.
