Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 November 2026
Princess Eugene Majuru publishes children’s book revealing the royal heritage of Harare
Kindle edition of King Mbari of Harare: The King Who Never Slept released today, with paperback edition in progress
LEICESTER, UNITED KINGDOM, 12 November 2026 — HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare, has announced the publication of her new children’s history book, King Mbari of Harare: The King Who Never Slept, marking another milestone in her campaign to preserve and promote the ancestral history of Zimbabwe’s capital city.
The Kindle edition has officially been published today, 12 November 2026, through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), while preparations for the paperback edition are currently underway.
The 179-page illustrated educational book is designed primarily for children aged seven to twelve and introduces young readers to the ancestral history of King Mbari, the Mbari royal family, the Neharava chieftainship and the cultural heritage associated with Harare and its surrounding territories.
Drawing upon oral traditions preserved within the Mbari royal lineage, the book explores the story of King Mbari, remembered by the family as a respected traditional ruler whose leadership extended across areas including Harare, Mazowe, Mount Hampden, Concession, Nyabira and Seke.
According to Mbari royal tradition, King Mbari became known as Haarari, meaning “the one who never slept”, because of his dedication to helping people who sought his guidance, protection and assistance. The family preserves this account as an explanation of the origin of the name Harare.
The book also introduces children to the Shumba Gurundoro lion totem, traditional African leadership, ancestral identity and the importance of safeguarding cultural knowledge for future generations.
Bringing overlooked history into classrooms
Princess Eugene said the publication represents an important step towards addressing what she considers a significant gap in the teaching of Harare’s ancestral history.
“For generations, children have grown up learning about Harare as Zimbabwe’s capital city, but many have never been introduced to the history of King Mbari, the Mbari royal family or the Neharava chieftainship.
“As a descendant of this royal lineage and Sovereign Custodian of our ancestral heritage, I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that this history is preserved and made accessible to future generations.
“Our children deserve to understand that Harare has a history extending far beyond the establishment of the modern city. They deserve to know about the traditional leadership, communities and cultural institutions that existed before colonial rule.”
The author emphasised that the book is not intended simply to celebrate royalty, but to encourage children to become curious about their own ancestry, communities and cultural identity.
A children’s book with a serious educational purpose
Unlike a conventional short children’s story, King Mbari of Harare: The King Who Never Slept combines historical storytelling with educational activities, cultural explanations and black-and-white illustrations.
Young readers follow the characters Gogo, Tariro and Tinashe as they explore the history of Harare through conversations, stories and discoveries.
The book includes Let’s Learn Together sections designed to encourage children to reflect on what they have read, answer questions, learn Shona vocabulary and participate in activities that strengthen their understanding of Zimbabwean heritage.
Princess Eugene explained that the book was originally intended to be considerably shorter but expanded as its educational purpose developed.
“I initially considered producing a book of approximately 56 pages. However, as I worked through the history, I realised that reducing such an important subject to a few pages would leave out valuable information.
“The book has now grown to 179 pages because I wanted children to receive a meaningful introduction to the history, the people, the traditions and the responsibilities associated with preserving heritage.
“This is not simply a story to read and put away. It is a learning resource that children can return to as they grow.”
Historical illustrations inspired by ancestral heritage
One distinctive feature of the publication is its artistic representation of King Mbari.
Princess Eugene used her own photograph as a visual reference in developing an AI-assisted artistic interpretation of her royal ancestor.
The author makes clear in the book that the illustration is not an authenticated historical portrait, but an imaginative representation intended to help children visualise the king.
The publication also distinguishes King Mbari from his younger brother, King Makombe, who is remembered in Mbari royal history for resisting British colonial expansion after King Mbari’s lifetime.
Plans to reach schools and libraries in Zimbabwe
Beyond its commercial publication, Princess Eugene hopes to make the book available to primary schools and libraries throughout Zimbabwe.
Her long-term ambition is to support heritage education by providing children with accessible reading materials about local history, traditional institutions and African cultural identity.
The decision to produce a black-and-white paperback interior is partly intended to make printed copies more affordable, particularly for future educational distribution.
Princess Eugene said she hopes the publication will encourage educators, historians, cultural organisations, traditional leaders and families to recognise the importance of documenting ancestral histories before valuable knowledge disappears.
“Many of our elders carry extraordinary historical knowledge, but if we do not document these stories, future generations may never hear them.
“We must encourage our children to ask questions, listen to their elders, explore historical evidence and take pride in understanding where they come from.
“Our ancestors lived the history. We have a responsibility to preserve it. Our children will carry it into the future.”
Kindle edition published, paperback to follow
The Kindle edition of King Mbari of Harare: The King Who Never Slept has been published through Amazon KDP.
The paperback edition is currently in preparation, with further publication details to be announced once it becomes available.
The book is intended for children aged seven to twelve, while also serving as a resource for parents, teachers, libraries and readers interested in Zimbabwean history and African cultural heritage.
About the author
HRH Princess Eugene Majuru is the Princess of Harare, a descendant of the Mbari royal lineage and Sovereign Custodian of the family’s ancestral heritage.
She is an author, journalist, cultural heritage advocate and founder and Editor-in-Chief of News of The South.
Her published works include CHOSEN: Mbari — The Forgotten Kings of Zimbabwe, A Concise History of Harare’s Mbari Clan, African Royal Etiquette and Harare: A City in Decline.
Through her writing, journalism and cultural advocacy, she continues to promote historical awareness, traditional heritage preservation and education.
Book details
Title: King Mbari of Harare: The King Who Never Slept
Author: HRH Princess Eugene Majuru
Publication date: 12 November 2026
Format: Kindle eBook published; paperback in progress
Length: 179 pages (manuscript)
Recommended reading age: 7–12 years
Genre: Children’s History, African Heritage and Educational Nonfiction
Publisher: Independently published through Amazon KDP
Media enquiries and interview requests
HRH Princess Eugene Majuru
Princess of Harare
Editor-in-Chief, News of The South
Email: harareprincess@gmail.com
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