It was a show of African unity and royalty as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, gave a lavish royal banquet on Friday, 27th June 2025, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The most notable thing about the event was a friendly gesture, a 22-karat gold chain that was gifted to the King of Eswatini, Mswati III.
It was a picture-perfect scene that was well choreographed and shared on social media, with two assistants presenting the chain still in its gilded box to Otumfuo, who personally draped it around the neck of King Mswati III.
The gold chain was decorated with the so-called Denkyemkye pendant, which was the symbol of Asante power and unity, emphasizing the supremacy of royal relations within the African continent.
It was not merely a transfer of material wealth, but there was a cultural and diplomatic significance about this exchange.
The gesture was interpreted as the expression of royal solidarity, mutual respect and reinforcing of relationships between the Kingdom of Eswatini and Ashanti Kingdom.
To make it even more grandiose, the wife of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Lady Julia, also gave a special gift to the wife of King Mswati, Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaMagongo.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has gifted a 22-karat gold chain to King Mswati III as a symbol of deep friendship and royal solidarity between the two Royal leaders. pic.twitter.com/Z0IxYH3cYk
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) June 28, 2025
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She was given her own 22-karat gold chain and a royal handwoven kente cloth of Ghana which featured tradition and beauty as a nation.
The social networks are rife with various opinions. Whereas several individuals lauded the charity of the Asantehene and his cultural diplomacy, there were also reservations about the move, with some citing that such extravagance ought to be countered by attempts to uplift the community.
Nevertheless, people justified the gifts saying that they were appropriate to the royal position of Otumfuo.
“This is how African kings must act, with honour and pride,” said one commenter. Another one said, “Gold is their heritage. Let them have their light.”
The golden exchange will be remembered as the precious importance of royal graciousness and that they lasted; friendship, and Ghana and Eswatini will still have the commemoration of this rare encounter of monarchs.
