King George Tupou V of Tonga laid to rest

The funeral of King George Tupou V of Tonga, who died at Hong Kong on Sunday 18 March 2012, took place yesterday, Tuesday 27 March 2012, at the Royal Tombs, Mala'e Kula, in the capital Nuku'alofa. Photos from the ceremony can be viewed at the website of Matangi Tonga Online.

According to the Tonga Government Portal and Matangi Tonga, several high-level dignitaries attended the funeral. Among them were the Governor-General of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Sir Jeffrey Mateparae, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hon. Bill English, New Zealand minister of foreign affairs, Murray McCully, minister of Pacific Island affairs, Hekia Parata, Minister of Maori Affairs Dr. Pita Sharples as well as Labour party leader David Shearer, Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce and parliamentary seretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles, HH Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and HH Masiofo Filifilia of Samoa, the Maori King, HM King Tuihetia and Makau Ariki Atawhai, the Duke of Gloucester (Prince Richard of the United Kingdom), TIH Prince and Princess Hitachi of Japan, the Governor General of Papua New Guinea HE Sir Michael Ogio and his wife Esme Ogio as well as the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and his wife Adi Koila.