Private Visit of Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther Selassie Antohin of Ethiopia to Glastonbury on Saturday 27th September 2025

Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther Selassie Antohin of Ethiopia made a private visit to Glastonbury on Saturday, 27th September 2025, at the invitation of the Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr. Dr. Michael White, to celebrate the town’s heritage and its unique twinning with Lalibela, Ethiopia.

The Princess was warmly welcomed by the Mayor and members of Glastonbury Town Council, along with the High Sheriff of Somerset, Janet Montgomery, and representatives from local heritage organisations, cultural groups, and visitor attractions.

Glastonbury shares a special international relationship with two significant spiritual destinations: Lalibela in Ethiopia—renowned for its 11 extraordinary churches carved from solid rock in the 12th century, symbolising the New Jerusalem—and the Island of Patmos in Greece, home to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the Book of Revelation is said to have been written. Both sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and attract pilgrims from around the world.

To mark the occasion, the Mayor presented Her Imperial Highness with the ceremonial “Key of Avalon”—a symbolic gift reflecting the deep and spiritual connection between Lalibela and Glastonbury.

During her visit, Princess Esther remarked:

“I don’t have adequately expressive words for me to describe how much the visit to Glastonbury has meant… I was completely taken by the goodwill and hospitality of the people who greeted us and were part of our incredibly engaging visit throughout the day… In the Ethiopian Calendar, Saturday was the day of the Finding of the True Cross, which we call Meskel. How about this serendipity that adds to the already discerned powerful connections!”

She added:

“I will always remember this day and look on it with meaning and gratitude! I am very motivated to help reconnect Lalibela to Glastonbury. I am ready to do what is needed in my power to help this process along.”

The Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr. Dr. Michael White, said:

“The Council is delighted that Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther chose to visit Glastonbury today to refresh the town’s connection with Lalibela in Ethiopia. As the great-granddaughter of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie—who lived in exile in Bath during the 1930s—the Princess is a trustee of the Fairfield House project in Bath and a frequent visitor to the UK. We were honoured to host her and look forward to deepening this special relationship.”