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D.C.’s hidden royalty

African kings and princes live among the ordinary suits of D.C., assuming their thrones only in the company of fellow expatriates.

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Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, center, and his wife, Saba Kebede, center left, remain seated as others leave the Hamere Noah Kidane Miheret Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church in Alexandria after a service. Sahle-Salessie is the grandson of former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. The prince's cousin and assistant, Anania Abebe, is seen at top left dressed in suit.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, right, and his wife, Saba Kebede, left, along with other international royals living in the Washington area, live regular suburban lives.

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, right, and his wife, Saba Kebede, left, along with other international royals living in the Washington area, live regular suburban lives.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, left, is seen with his grandfather, Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Salessie in this family photo.

Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, left, is seen with his grandfather, Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Salessie in this family photo.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, his wife, Mamie Eisenhower, Princess Seble Desta, Prince Sahle-Selassie and Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie are seen at the White House in 1954.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, his wife, Mamie Eisenhower, Princess Seble Desta, Prince Sahle-Selassie and Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie are seen at the White House in 1954.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

The Hamere Noah Kidane Miheret Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church is one of the few places in the area where Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie receives the true royal treatment. Outside of his community, he works at a think tank, like so many other Washingtonians.

The Hamere Noah Kidane Miheret Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church is one of the few places in the area where Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie receives the true royal treatment. Outside of his community, he works at a think tank, like so many other Washingtonians.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, center right, is greeted by Derege Tadesse, left, while the prince’s wife, Saba Kebede, left, looks on. Though the prince has lived in America for many years, he has not abdicated his throne.

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, center right, is greeted by Derege Tadesse, left, while the prince’s wife, Saba Kebede, left, looks on. Though the prince has lived in America for many years, he has not abdicated his throne.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, second from left, talks with Amha Adera, top center, as his wife, Saba Kebede, far left, looks on after lunch at their church. The priest insisted that the prince sit toward the front of the table. ”You can’t just sit anywhere. You’re very famous,” he said.

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, second from left, talks with Amha Adera, top center, as his wife, Saba Kebede, far left, looks on after lunch at their church. The priest insisted that the prince sit toward the front of the table. ”You can’t just sit anywhere. You’re very famous,” he said.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie’s grandfather’s full title is “His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and Elect of God.”

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie’s grandfather’s full title is “His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and Elect of God.”

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Melakekidan Tadesse Sisay, left, leads Saba Kebede, center to right, her husband, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie and his cousin and assistant, Anania Abede in song. “Today, I feel it’s important to talk about the pride and heritage that is also part of a monarchy,” says the prince.

Melakekidan Tadesse Sisay, left, leads Saba Kebede, center to right, her husband, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie and his cousin and assistant, Anania Abede in song. “Today, I feel it’s important to talk about the pride and heritage that is also part of a monarchy,” says the prince.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Nana Kofi Boateng, the Asantefuohene of the Washington area, left, and Nana Ama Achiaa pose for a photograph outside Boateng's home. Boateng is the appointed king of the Washington metropolitan area by the king of Ghana, and Achiaa is the appointed queen mother.

Nana Kofi Boateng, the Asantefuohene of the Washington area, left, and Nana Ama Achiaa pose for a photograph outside Boateng's home. Boateng is the appointed king of the Washington metropolitan area by the king of Ghana, and Achiaa is the appointed queen mother.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Kaakyire Kwame Damptey, who is chief linguist, makes sure that all the clothing and accessories are perfect on Nana Kofi Boateng, as he sits down for his belated birthday celebration at his home.

Kaakyire Kwame Damptey, who is chief linguist, makes sure that all the clothing and accessories are perfect on Nana Kofi Boateng, as he sits down for his belated birthday celebration at his home.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Nana Kofi Boateng, the Asantefuohene of the Washington area, sits on his throne. The king will serve a three-year term. He reports directly to Nana Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the King of Asante Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana.

Nana Kofi Boateng, the Asantefuohene of the Washington area, sits on his throne. The king will serve a three-year term. He reports directly to Nana Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the King of Asante Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Chief linguist Kaakyire Kwame Damptey, left, stands next to Nana Kofi Boateng, center, and Nana Ama Achiaa, right center, while Afua Dufie cheers during Boateng's belated birthday celebration. The entire royal court is replicated in Washington.

Chief linguist Kaakyire Kwame Damptey, left, stands next to Nana Kofi Boateng, center, and Nana Ama Achiaa, right center, while Afua Dufie cheers during Boateng's belated birthday celebration. The entire royal court is replicated in Washington.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Nana Kofi Boateng, left, holds a present as he glances over at Nana Ama Achiaa. Achiaa by day runs a West African food and clothing store.

Nana Kofi Boateng, left, holds a present as he glances over at Nana Ama Achiaa. Achiaa by day runs a West African food and clothing store.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Obaa Yaa, left, dances with Nana Kofi Boateng. For the party, the king’s wife cooked fried fish, jerk chicken and peanut butter soup.

Obaa Yaa, left, dances with Nana Kofi Boateng. For the party, the king’s wife cooked fried fish, jerk chicken and peanut butter soup.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Angela Amaah, left, dances next to Nana Kofi Boateng, left center, along with Nana Ama Achiaa, right center, her chief adviser, Nana Yew Amankwah, and Virginia Serwala. “We want to blend our culture with the politics of America,” said the king.

Angela Amaah, left, dances next to Nana Kofi Boateng, left center, along with Nana Ama Achiaa, right center, her chief adviser, Nana Yew Amankwah, and Virginia Serwala. “We want to blend our culture with the politics of America,” said the king.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

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