Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a former captive of an African king who later became a favourite of Queen Victoria, has inspired a new biography that has been welcomed by her great‑great‑grandson, Bayo Randle.
At the age of seven, Bonetta—originally named Àìná—was presented to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle as a “diplomatic gift” from an African king. The young girl was taken from her homeland and brought to England, where she would become a close companion of the imperial monarch.
Victoria took a personal interest in Bonetta’s life, paying for her education and arranging a marriage to one of West Africa’s wealthiest men. The queen also served as godmother to Bonetta’s eldest daughter, cementing a unique bond between the royal family and the former captive.
Today, Bayo Randle, who traces his lineage back to Bonetta, has expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming biography, which promises to shed light on the remarkable journey of a woman who bridged two worlds in the 19th century.
While the details of Bonetta’s early years remain sparse, the story of her capture, relocation, and eventual integration into the British court offers a rare glimpse into the complex relationships between colonial powers and African societies during the Victorian era.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
