Before 1889, Mengesha Yohannes was considered the Emperor's nephew, but on 9 March 1889 the Emperor on his deathbed, in Metemma, recognized him as his son, from a side-relation with his brother Gugsa's wife. Therefore, some informants still claim that Mengesha Yohannes was strongly attached to Yohannes throughout his life. Dejazmach Mengesha Yohannes was designated by the Emperor as his heir-to-the-throne, and allegedly crowned still on the battlefield of Metemma, but Mengesha Yohannes was not able to claim the throne.
Mengesha Yohannes was initially viewed as the Emperor's ward before 1889, but upon the Emperor's deathbed recognition on March 9, 1889, he was acknowledged as his son due to an extramarital relationship with Gugsa's wife. This led to speculation that Mengesha Yohannes maintained a lifelong connection with Yohannes. Dejazmach Mengesha Yohannes was subsequently appointed by the Emperor as his successor and allegedly crowned on the battlefield of Metemma, but he ultimately failed to claim the throne.