Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, is the only son of the late Prince Sahle Selassie and Her Imperial Highness Princess Mahisente Habte Mariam, and was born in 1960. He is thus the grandson of both Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and also of Dejazmach Habte Mariam Gebre Igziabiher, the heir to the former Welega kingdom of Leqa Naqamte. His Imperial Higness is currently tenth in line to the Imperial Throne. Prince Ermias is the President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, the body that represents the Ethiopian Crown in exile, and which advises the Emperor of Ethiopia when one is enthroned. As such, Prince Ermias is probably the most visible and well known member of the Imperial Family today.
The Crown Council currently pursues a cultural and humanitarian role. Prince Ermias is also patron of the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopia’s Children, Inc. a US-based non-profit charitable trust which raises funds for causes which aid Ethiopian children and which sponsored student scholarships for needy Ethiopian students abroad. His Imperial Highness is also patron and founder of the St. George of Lalibela Foundation.Prince Ermias is on the Board of Directors for Tuition Credit Exchange Inc., a US-based organisation which helps facilitate education. He is also Chairman of the Advisory Board of Bezant Corporation. His Imperial Highness is also patron for Africa for the Flying Hospital charity.
Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie is the Sovereign Grand Master and Captain-General of the Ethiopian Order of St Anthony, Grand Master of the Order of the Ethiopian Lion, and Joint Grand Master of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Queen of Seba, Holy Trinity, Menelik II, Haile Selassie, and the Star of Ethiopia, and the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon. He also bears the Grand Cross of the Order of Francis I of the Two Sicilies, and the Medal of Merit (South Carolina, USA). In 1997, Prince Ermias was named recipient of the International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA) Silver Star Award for Outstanding Contributions to Strategic Progress Through Humanitarian Achievement, for his work for Ethiopian refugees in Africa.
His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias was married to Gelila Fiseha, the daughter of a former Ethiopian Supreme Court Justice, and is the father of twin sons, Prince Sahle Selassie Ermias (informally known as Prince Christian), and Prince Fisseha Tsion (known as Prince Rufael). Prince Ermias and his wife are currently separated. His sons Princes Sahle Selassie Ermias and Prince Fisseha Tsion Ermias are respectivly eleventh and twelfth in line to the Imperial throne.