Tonga - Death of HM King George Tupou V, 18 March 2012
 

Is there any official truth to this yet?

King of Tonga dead - report | thetelegraph.com.au

I believe we are still waiting for official confirmation from Palace. I read that the Wesleyan Church were offering prayers in front of the Queen Mothers residence.

King of Tonga dies in Hong Kong | WORLD News

Tongan radio has apparently confirmed that the King dies in hospital in Hong Kong.

So sad! He reigned for only 6 years.:sad:
It writes here that he had the kidney with a tumour removed...Maybe he had metastasis?

The wedding of his nephew can be postponed now.

Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.:easter:
And what a sadness to his mother! She lost second child.

His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga - Telegraph

Obituary from the Telegraph. The NZ Prime Minister has also issued message of condolance to the Tongan people.

Very sad. He was a kingly man.

The Late King had been away from Tonga since last November. He had treatment for a kidney tumour last year in the US just before the Rugby World Cup started in New Zealand. He came back the day it started to formally receive the Tongan Team at his residence in Auckland Atalanga before they were to play the opening match against the World Cup 2011 All Blacks.

KING OF TONGA HAS AUDIENCE WITH POPE - February 28, 2012

King to receive ‘Ikale Tahi at Atalanga | World247.net Worldnews

Moemoea Te Kiingi o Te Tonga. Nga mihi ki a koe mo tou mahi tonu, mo tou mahi aroha, mo tou mahi tautoko i te tangata o Tonga.

Haere ki te whare nui o Te Atua.
Haere ki te moe nui, te moe roa, te moe pamamao.

Noreira, haere, haere, haere atu ra.

Kua mate ke Te Kiingi. Ka ora tonu nui Te Kiingi. (The King is Dead, Long Live the King)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17420114

It is a sad time for the people of Tonga as their King has passed away.
George Tupou V (Tongan: Siaosi Tupou V, full name: Siaosi Tāufaʻāhau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho Tupou V; 4 May 1948 – 18 March 2012) was the King of Tonga following the death of his father, Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, in 2006 until his own death in March 2012.
Tupou V was born on 4 May 1948. He was the eldest son of the late King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV (1918–2006) and Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe (b. 1926). He was appointed Crown Prince on 4 May 1966. In that role, he was better known by one of his traditional chiefly titles, Tupoutoʻa.
Six months prior to his death, Tupou V had a successful surgery to remove a kidney following the discovery of a tumour.
Matangi Tonga reported that George Tupou V had died on 18 March, 2012 Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from leukemia at 15:15 HKT at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, though governing institutions in Tonga did not immediately confirm it. His brother and Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka was at the hospital when he died. Television New Zealand later said that the government of Tonga had confirmed his death.

A state funeral is now being plan

I am very sad by the passing of a great king and my prays go out to Tonga and her people
Long live the new king
Rest in Peace
King George V of Tonga

For more on the late king's life and short rule click this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Tupou_V

May he rest in peace.

Richard Palmer on twitter:

For an interesting look at this man and his royal style, there's a chapter about the King of Tonga in Paul Theroux's book, Happy Isles of Oceania.

He visited the Pope one month ago !

The King in Paul Theroux's book isn't King George Tupou V but his father King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Respects and sorrow for death of King Tupou V.
I hope Tonga have peaceful and calm stability and succession for the monarchy and nation.

So sad may HM King George V of Tonga RIP
:: flowers :: :: Tongan coat of arms ::
My condolences go out to the Tongan royal family.

State funeral and burial to take place March 27th. The Governor General of Australia has confirmed her attendance at the funeral.