Princess Romanework

Who was Princess Romanework?

Princess Romanework Haile Selassie, Romane Work Haile Selassie, was the eldest child of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia by his alleged first wife, Woizero Altayech. The princess' mother died in childbirth.

The Princess married Major-General Dejazmach Beyene Merid, governor of Bale, a noted resistance leader against the Italian occupation from 1936 until his capture and execution in 1937. She was the mother of Dejazmach Merid Beyene and Dejazmach Samson Beyene.

Princess Romanework was captured by the Italians and taken in captivity to Asinara Island off the coast of Italy with other Ethiopian notables. She died at the Ospedale Maggiore in Turin on 14 October 1940, probably of tuberculosis. Her body was returned by the Italians after the war, and was interred in the Imperial family crypt at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa. Her sons were raised by the Emperor and Empress. Her line is currently represented by her grandson Lij Sebastyanos Beyene, who resides in London.