Ranavalona III was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar, ruling from 30 July 1883 to 28 February 1897 in a reign marked by ultimately futile efforts to resist the colonial designs of the government of France. As a young woman she was selected to succeed Queen Ranavalona II. Like both preceding queens, Ranavalona III entered a political marriage with a member of the Hova elite, Rainilaiarivony, who oversaw the day to day governance of the kingdom and managed its foreign affairs as prime minister. She tried to stave off colonization by strengthening trade and diplomatic relations with foreign powers, but French attacks on coastal port towns and an assault on the capital, Antananarivo, led to the capture of the royal palace in 1895, ending the sovereignty and political autonomy of the centuries old kingdom.
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