Ranavalona III (French: Ranavalona III) (November 22, 1861 - May 23, 1917) is the last queen of the Kingdom of Madagascar, she ruled from July 30, 1883 until February 28, 1897 in an era marked by many failed efforts to resist French colonialism. In her youth, she was chosen from among several eligible nobles to succeed Queen Ranavalona II upon her death. Like her two previous queens, Ranalofa became involved in a political marriage with an elite commoner, Reneliarfoni, who was prime minister of