King Sobhuza II, who reigned over Swaziland from 1921 till his death in 1982, used the National Flag with a small gold lion on the upper stripe, facing the fly. It was designed by King Sobhuza himself; the lion is the symbol of the “iNgwenyama”, the king. The royal standard flew publicly for the first time on 5 September 1968 at the Somhlolo National Stadium at Lobamba during the independence celebrations.