THE body of an Ethiopian Prince who lived on the Isle of Wight and was buried at Windsor Castle will not be returned to his homeland.

Buckingham Palace said this week the resting place of Prince Dejatch Alamayou will not be disturbed, as removing his remains could affect others.

There have been calls from his family to return him to Ethiopia.

“We want his remains back as a family and as Ethiopians because that is not the country he was born in,” one of the royal descendants, Fasil Minas, told the BBC.

The Prince was the only legitimate son of Tewodros II, Emperor of Abyssinia (1818–68).

His father committed suicide in April 1868, following his defeat by British troops at the battle of Magdala, rather than surrender.

Alamayu was brought to England by army officer and explorer Tristam Charles Sawyer Speedy (1836–1910).

Alamayu lived with Speedy at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and was presented to Queen Victoria at Osborne House.

The Queen took a great interest in the child and mentioned him often in her diaries.

While at Osborne, Alamayu was photographed by Julia Margaret Cameron. One of the photos can be seen at her former home, Dimbola Museum and Galleries in Freshwater.

When Alamayu died of pleurisy in 1879 at aged 18, Queen Victoria wrote in her journal: "Very grieved and shocked to hear by telegram, that good Alamayou had passed away this morning. It is too sad!

"All alone, in a strange country, without a single person or relative belonging to him. Everyone is sorry."

At Queen Victoria’s request he was buried at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.