Kingdom of Tonga

[marmi]

No, not really. Our PM went, for what its worth. So I guess we were also represented by the Duke and Duchess...

 

[Cakobau]

Tonga must really have a close relationship with Japan for the crown prince to represent Japan at the coronation. He, along with the Gloucester's were also present at his fathers funeral.
The choir at the coronation sung 'Zadok the Priest' really well, made me think of the british coronation from videos i have seen.
It was also good to see that the Bhutanese King sent one of his sisters (i think) to represent him. It was really good that Bhutan made an effort to send royal representation.

 

[weinyer]

here are the guestlist

[FONT=verdana, arial]Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom is represented by Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Japanese Imperial Family is represented by His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito; HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is representing the Thai Royal Family; HRH Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck is representing the Royal Family of Bhutan. The Samoan Head of State, His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, represents Samoa; The Maori King, King Tuheitia represents the Maori people of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, His Majesty King George’s senior Fijian relative heads the chiefly delegation from Fiji.

Vanuatu’s delegation is headed by its President, HE Kalkot Mataskelekele; Australia’s delegation is headed by its Governor General, HE Major General Michael Jefferey AC; Cook Islands’ by the Queen’s Representative HE Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE; New Zealand’s by the Governor General, HE Anand Satayanand, PCNZM; Papua New Guinea’s by its Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Paulius Matane, GCL, CMG, KStJ; and Tuvalu’s by its Governor General, Rev Sir Filoimea Telito.

source---www.pmo.gov.to
[/FONT]

 

[marmi]

here are the guestlist

[FONT=verdana, arial]Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom is represented by Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial]The Maori King, King Tuheitia represents the Maori people of Aotearoa-New Zealand. [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial]New Zealand’s by the Governor General, HE Anand Satayanand, PCNZM; [/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial]source---www.pmo.gov.to [/FONT]

Well now I feel silly turns out we were far better represented than I had thought...

 

[Iain]

What about the Kings from the wallis and Futuna Islands, were they there?
Wallis recently crowned it's own King.

 

[Avicenna]

Yes I saw them (Crown Prince Naruhito, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Sri Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, a Princess of Bhutan) too, but I think that there's too few royal representatives... There are only so many monarchies in this world, they should stick together, and especially at a unique event like a coronation which is only done in so few countries - they should send high representatives from all countries. A Vice President or a member of the Royal Family for example, or a minister at the minumum. Just letting the Ambassadors represent the country isn't enough in my viewpoint.

Well, of course you have point there. It would be a question of courtesy. But then I wonder, if e.g. one of the smaller European courts would celebrate a coronation, e.g. Luxemburg or Lichtenstein, do you believe all the royal families from the "other side of the world" - I mean the Pazifik-region, would be represented? It is probably too far away and of less importance.

 

[Avicenna]

What about the Kings from the wallis and Futuna Islands, were they there?
Wallis recently crowned it's own King.

Sorry, I don't know him, never saw a picture of him and could therefor not identify him. Why don't you check out the video yourself? Please let me know if you spot him.

 

[Iain]

Sorry, I don't know him, never saw a picture of him and could therefor not identify him. Why don't you check out the video yourself? Please let me know if you spot him.

There would have been three Kings if they had been there as there are three kingdoms in the Wallis and Futuna Islands, Uvea, Sigave and Alo.
It's bit difficult to see anyone on the video, at least the one from, I think, the New Zealand Broadcasting Co as it doesn't open up to a larger size. It opens with the arrival of the King (you don't even see the Queen Mother arrive) and it would have been nice if they had pointed out some of the guests.
Regarding the service, the church was certainly a better place than the old Royal Chapel where previous coronations have taken place as it could only seat 77 people. Previous monarchs knelt to be crowned so why did the King change this to sitting? Also, I wonder why he didn't use the throne that had been in the chapel. This had been used since George I time. I had worried that the King might use his taxi so it was a nice surprise to see him use Queen Salote's car, although, along with the new throne and sceptre I'm surprised he didn't order a golden coach.

Did the ladies of the royal family wear European dress and tiaras? At the late King's coronation the ladies wore Tongan dress.

 

[Warren]

Did the ladies of the royal family wear European dress and tiaras? At the late King's coronation the ladies wore Tongan dress.

At the Royal Luncheon some of the ladies are pictured wearing tiaras. The Tongan Government website splits the Coronation events into three: Coronation, Coronation Day and Luncheon. The Luncheon section (where the link opens) has 27 pages of pics, unfortunately they aren't captioned. All sections can be accessed from the link.

 

[Skydragon]

Siaosi Tupou V was crowned king of Tonga today in a lavish, pomp-filled ceremony attended by royalty from around the world alongside Tongans in traditional dress.

Tonga crowns a new king in lavish ceremony - Telegraph

King George Tupou V was crowned yesterday in the capital of Tonga, after five days of celebrations incorporating local and British traditions.
Hecatombs of roast pig were consumed as were appropriate amounts of mildly narcotic kava.

Kava and ermine - Telegraph

 

[Butterwicke]

I understand the plans to enact democratic reforms and make the Tongan government less autocratic, and I commend this decision. Regardless of where the power is seated, though, what is the overall status of the Tongan monarchy in terms of its future?

It has been reported that HM King George V is 60 years of age, a bachelor, and has no known heirs. Does anyone know what kind of extended royal family exists, and if there is an acceptable and legitimate successor?

 

[Warren]

The assumption is that King George will become a fully constitutional monarch in the manner of Elizabeth II. What powers he retains have yet to be decided.

As to the succession issue, although the King has no legimitate heir who can inherit the throne, the Tongan Royal Family is extensive. See this Wiki entry. The order of succession according to this is:

1. Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho, third son of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, better known as Tupoutoʻa Lavaka. Born 1959 and confirmed as Heir Presumptive September 2006.
2. Prince Siaosi Manumataongo ʻAlaivahamamaʻo ʻAhoʻeitu Konstantin Tukuʻaho, elder son of (1), better known as ʻUlukālala, born 1985.
3. Prince Uiliame ʻUnuakiʻ'otonga Lalaka mo e ʻEiki Tukuʻaho, younger son of (1), better known as Ata, born 1989.
4. Princess ʻAngelika Lātūfuipeka Halaʻevalu Mataʻaho Napuaʻokalani Tukuʻaho, daughter of (1), born 1984.
5. Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita (born Tukuʻaho), daughter of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV.
6. Salote Lupepauʻu Tuita, daughter of (5)
7. Ana Seini Fusituʻa, daughter of (6)
8. Fanetupou Vavaʻu Tuita, second daughter of (5)
9. Frederica Tuita, third daughter of (5)
10. Lupeolo Tuita, fourth daughter of (5)

An explanation of Tongan succession and the constitutional issues involved can be found here.

 

[Benjamin]

King blesses a little piece of Tonga in the midst of Sydney
24 Oct 2008

In a day of blustery winds and rain, a shower of royalty descended on the western suburbs of Sydney yesterday.

King George Tupou V, the new monarch of the Pacific island kingdom of Tonga, made Glendenning, the industrial zone of Rooty Hill, the focus of the first foreign tour of his reign.

The occasion was the opening of the new "district church" of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Australia.

Full article w/picture: Sydney Morning Herald

 

[iloveroyals]

If you want to read about Tonga in the seventies, with many vignettes of the royalty and behavior of the royal members then, I recommend the true crime book: American Taboo: a murder in the Peace Corps, by Philip Weiss. It is about a group of American Peace Corps volunteers landing on the island in 1975, their interaction with the residents, the politics between the U.S and Tonga at that time, and of course the solving of a murder. You'll see how much as changed in almost 35 years. The simplicity of life for the royals is made very appealing.

 

[Benjamin]

King of Tonga bows to history as democracy comes ashore
11 November 2009

The eccentric, monocle-wearing King of Tonga, who has ruled his small Pacific island kingdom with the sort of absolute authority familiar to Louis XIV but in short supply in recent times, is to relinquish his powers. And the man himself is said to be all for it.


King George Tupou V, who is 61, apparently saw the writing on the wall when his coronation had to be delayed for two years to allow pro-democracy riots to die down. He was finally crowned, with white ermine and a very English sort of crown, last year...

Full article: The Independent

 

[principessa]

King George V of Tonga visited the Navy-museum in Hamburg.

Google Nachricht

 

[wbenson]

An absolute monarch bent on giving up his power - News, People - The Independent

Schooled in England, the King of Tonga has returned to catch up with old friends – and contemplate the looming day when he will surrender his omnipotence and embrace democracy.

The Press Association: King of Tonga at National Arboretum

The King of Tonga has become the first overseas head of state to visit the National Memorial Arboretum.

 

[VaiFSekona1975]

Great documentation Warren...I contemplate-unknowing on the future decisions to be made by HRH King Sia'osi Tupou V, and can only hope and pray for the greatest for His Kingdom...as a person with connections to this great family and kingdom, I can only wait and wonder...hmmmmm....

The assumption is that King George will become a fully constitutional monarch in the manner of Elizabeth II. What powers he retains have yet to be decided.

As to the succession issue, although the King has no legimitate heir who can inherit the throne, the Tongan Royal Family is extensive. See this Wiki entry. The order of succession according to this is:

1. Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho, third son of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, better known as Tupoutoʻa Lavaka. Born 1959 and confirmed as Heir Presumptive September 2006.
2. Prince Siaosi Manumataongo ʻAlaivahamamaʻo ʻAhoʻeitu Konstantin Tukuʻaho, elder son of (1), better known as ʻUlukālala, born 1985.
3. Prince Uiliame ʻUnuakiʻ'otonga Lalaka mo e ʻEiki Tukuʻaho, younger son of (1), better known as Ata, born 1989.
4. Princess ʻAngelika Lātūfuipeka Halaʻevalu Mataʻaho Napuaʻokalani Tukuʻaho, daughter of (1), born 1984.
5. Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita (born Tukuʻaho), daughter of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV.
6. Salote Lupepauʻu Tuita, daughter of (5)
7. Ana Seini Fusituʻa, daughter of (6)
8. Fanetupou Vavaʻu Tuita, second daughter of (5)
9. Frederica Tuita, third daughter of (5)
10. Lupeolo Tuita, fourth daughter of (5)

An explanation of Tongan succession and the constitutional issues involved can be found here.

 

[iceflower]

Here's some more information about Princess Anne's visit to Tonga,
the above quoted site matangitonga.to has put together a large
number of nice pics of Anne meeting Tonga study tour participants
on March 20:

** Princess Anne meets Tonga study tour participants **

Princess Anne meeting participants in the Emerging Pacific Leaders'
Dialogue held in Tonga, 20 March 2010.

----> Pic

Princess Anne with Tonga's Princess Royal, HRH Pilolevu, Tonga's
Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele (right) and the Chairman of
the Commonwealth Study Conference, Mr Richard Warburton (left),
22 March 2010.

----> Pic

 

[wbenson]

Natural gas project may open jobs for Tongans in PNG, says Crown Prince

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka presented his letter of credence, as the Tongan High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea to the PNG Governor General, Sir Paulius Matane in Port Moresby last week, and learned of future employment opportunities for Tongans in PNG.

 

[Kasumi]

The Tongan king was handed a report of the Princess Ashika ferry disaster.
Matangi Tonga
ABC news
Pacific Scoop

 

[wbenson]

King opens new HQ for Royal Guards

A $TOP1.1 million headquarter of the Tonga Royal Guards was officially opened by HM King George Tupou V, at the Tonga Defence Services Headquarter, Sene, on Friday afternoon, April 9.

 

[RJ TAYLER]

Good to see that, an upgrade was well and truly due. Nice to see HM looking so well too.

 

[Kasumi]

Funeral of the member of Tongan royal family

Lord Kalaniuvalu, aged 37, the eldest son of HRH the Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu, who had died suddenly in Auckland, New Zealand, early Sunday morning, April 4, was buried at the Paepae 'o Tele'a Royal Cemetery, Lapaha on April 14th.
The royal family including King George Tupou V were present at the funeral.

Lord and lady Kalaniuvalu (nee Maasy Ramsey Manu) on their wedding day January 9th 2010
The official portrait of lord and lady Kalaniuvalu
A heartfelt condolence to the royal house of Tonga - Matangi Tonga

 

[RJ TAYLER]

My condolences to His Immediate family, The Royal Household and the people of Tonga as a whole.

 

[Kasumi]

Princess Pilolevu visits Abu Dabi

HRH the Princess Pilolevu of Tonga is on a visit to the UAE.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak hosted a dinner banquet in honour of Princess Pilolevu and her accompanying delegation. - WAM

 

[Kasumi]

King says Tonga should move to nuclear power

The impoverished South Pacific island nation of Tonga should move quickly toward nuclear power as its main source of electricity, its king said Friday.
Opening the nation's Parliament, King George Tupou V said while energy-hungry Tonga is planning to produce half its electricity from renewable energy within three years, "nature is dictating that we must look to nuclear energy."
He did not indicate how the near-bankrupt nation would fund a nuclear power plant. - Businessweek
More articles - Radio New Zealand, EcoGeek, Australia Network News

 

[Kasumi]

King of Tonga prepares to give up his power - Telegraph

 

[RJ TAYLER]

I feel that development re: Appointment and Dismissal of a Prime Minister being out of His Majesty's hands a troublesome one.

 

[Pharaoh]

King of Tonga prepares to give up his power - Telegraph

He shouldn't do it there are so few Monarchies left