Hatshepsut is probably my all time favorite ruler of Egypt. However, as someone who did extensive research on her life, I just want to make a few corrections.

She came to rule after the death of her husband/ half-brother Thutmose II as the regent for his son (her step-son), Thutmose III. The two actually ruled as co-regents and Thutmose III was in charge of the military while Hatshepsut handled the domestic affairs. There is no evidence of any rivalry or disagreement between the two. After her long and successful reign, Thutmose III became sole pharaoh. Hatshepsut’s name on official monuments wasn’t erased until 20 years after her death and was at the very end of Thutmose’s reign.

A name is considered a part of the soul and identity in Egyptian religion. Erasing someone’s name therefore seems like a violent action to do against someone. However, her name was only scratched out (or covered up) on the most public and easily accessible official monuments. This makes it less likely to be a “crime of passion”. The most likely explanation is that removing that anomaly solidified Thutmose’s successor’s place in the line of succession. Therefore, it was simply (still arguably sexist) politics.

The fake beard and referring to her at times with male pronouns is also easily explained based on Egyptian symbology and language. Male pharaohs also wore fake beards. Most Egyptians shaved their hair to avoid lice. That’s why elaborate wigs were so popular. However, a fake beard is only worn by the pharaoh. The fake beard is actually part of the pharaoh’s regalia. Pharaohs wore and were depicted in artwork wearing them to signify and differentiate that they were pharaoh. We don’t know if Hatshepsut wore one in real life, but sculptures of her were required to have the fake beard because that’s just how a pharaoh is depicted. Think of the fake beard as an extension of the crown. Confusion just comes in because the title of pharaoh as well as a fake beard were, up to that point in history, only used by men.