King Siaosi Tupou v of Tonga
NUKU'ALOFA (AFP) Tonga's king, who presides over one of the last absolute monarchies in the world, has confirmed he is ready to start handing power over to the people, his spokesman said Tuesday.
Tupou V was sworn in as king on 11 September 2006, which also made him, from a traditional viewpoint, the 23rd Tuʻi Kanokupolu (the overlords of Tongatapu.
When Tupou V took the throne in September, following the death of his father king Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, he pledged to give up all his business and commercial interests to rule the South Pacific island nation.
UpdatedSaturday, August 2, 2008 0:00amTWN,By David Brooks, AFPTonga crowns new king in styleNUKUâALOFA -- Tongaâs Siaosi Tupou V was crowned king of his tiny South Pacific nation Friday in a lavish, pomp-filled ceremony attended by royalty from around the world alongside Tongans in traditional dress.
Click hereSharePrintEmailWrite a CommentEnter your comments - 1000 characters maxType in image codeSubmitReceive China Post promosRespond to this email Tongaâs Siaosi Tupou V was crowned king of his tiny South Pacific nation Friday in a lavish, pomp-filled ceremony attended by royalty from around the world alongside Tongans in traditional dress.
Since inheriting the throne King Siaosi Tupou V has faced mounting pressure to introduce social reform.
The event in the capital for King Siaosi Tupou V was held nearly two years after the death of his father, the former king, and ahead of a lavish and official Western-style coronation on Friday.
King Tupou V has said he does not fear change.
The appointment resolves the future of the monarchy on the island, because King Tupou V is unmarried and has one daughter but no male heirs.
Tonga's King Siaosi Tupou V was crowned as monarch of his tiny South Pacific nation Friday in a lavish ceremony which attracted royalty from around the world and regional leaders.
When King Tupou V is crowned in Nuku'alofa this week, a European-style coronation will be enacted within a rich and vibrant Polynesian context.
NUKU'ALOFA: Tonga's Siaosi Tupou V was crowned king of his tiny South Pacific nation yesterday in a lavish, pomp-filled ceremony attended by royalty from around the world alongside Tongans in traditional dress.
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's Siaosi Tupou V was crowned king of the tiny South Pacific nation today in a lavish Christian ceremony attended by royalty from around the world.
Tonga's King Siaosi Tupou V has announced that he has decided to surrender his absolute powers "to meet the democratic aspirations of his people.