15 Wives, 30 Kids, 100 Servants: African King’s Entourage Locks Down Abu Dhabi Airport!

By Our Reporter

A recent video from Abu Dhabi Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has gone viral on social media. It features an African-American man, accompanied by a group of women, all disembarking from a private jet. The striking aspect of this video is that the half-dressed man is being bowed to and saluted by those around him.

Naturally, this has sparked curiosity: Who is he? Why is he travelling in such luxury while barely dressed? And who are the women and children with him?

The man in question is no ordinary individual but King Mswati III of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in southern Africa. He is Africa’s last remaining absolute monarchy. His dramatic arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport in the United Arab Emirates on July 10, 2025, has captivated the internet.

King Mswati III arrived in a private jet, accompanied by 15 wives, 30 children, and around 100 attendants. The size of his entourage caused such a stir that airport security had to shut down three terminals, imposing a temporary lockdown to manage the situation.

Reportedly, the king’s visit to the UAE aimed to negotiate economic agreements. However, it is his extravagant lifestyle that has drawn global attention.

In the viral footage, King Mswati is seen wearing traditional leopard-print attire, while his wives are dressed in vibrant, colourful African garments. His 100-strong retinue was busy managing the royal luggage and logistics.

Social media users worldwide have been astonished by the king’s regal lifestyle. His father, the former king of Swaziland, is said to have had over 70 wives, some reports claim as many as 125, along with more than 210 children and nearly 1,000 grandchildren.

King Mswati III himself has 30 wives, though recent reports mention 15 currently accompanying him, and more than 35 children. He has ruled Eswatini since 1986 and is regarded as one of the wealthiest monarchs in the world, with an estimated net worth exceeding $1 billion.

Each year, he selects a new bride during the traditional ‘Reed Dance’ ceremony, a practice that has drawn both fascination and criticism. While the king lives in opulence, roughly 60% of Eswatini’s population lives below the poverty line.

There is growing domestic criticism regarding the king’s lavish expenditures amidst widespread hardship.

Following the video’s emergence, memes have flooded social media platforms, with many joking, “The king’s entourage looks like an entire village!”