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George Tupou V

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George Tupou V[a] (Siaosi Tāufaʻāhau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho Tupou; 4 May 1948 – 18 March 2012) was King of Tonga from 2006 to his death in 2012. He was the eldest son of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV.

George Tupou V
George Tupou V in 2011
King of Tonga
Reign11 September 2006 – 18 March 2012
Coronation1 August 2008
PredecessorTāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
SuccessorTupou VI
Prime Ministers
See list
Born(1948-05-04)4 May 1948
Tongatapu, Tonga
Died18 March 2012(2012-03-18) (aged 63)
Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
Burial
Malaʻekula
IssueʻIlima Lei Fifita Tohi
Names
Siaosi Tāufaʻāhau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho
HouseTupou
FatherTāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
MotherHalaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe
ReligionFree Wesleyan Church

After ascending the throne, George Tupou announced that he would relinquish most of the monarch's powers and be guided by the Prime Minister on most matters. A snap election in 2010 was the first to be called under the new system. He died following a period of hospitalisation in Hong Kong, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Tupou VI. Having reigned for 5 years and 189 days, he was the shortest-reigning Tongan monarch since the declaration of the constitutional monarchy in 1875.

Early life and education

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Prince Siaosi was born on 4 May 1948, as the eldest child of Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa Tungī and his wife Crown Princess Halaevalu, during the reign of his grandmother Queen Sālote Tupou III.

He attended King's School and King's College, both in Auckland. This was followed by periods at The Leys School in Cambridge, and another school in Switzerland.[1] He also studied at Oxford University and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England.[2]

Crown Prince

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The then-Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa with the ambassador of Taiwan, 1997

After Siaosi's father ascended the throne in 1965, he was appointed Crown Prince of Tonga on 4 May 1966. In that role, he was better known by one of the traditional nobility titles, Tupoutoʻa, which has been normally reserved for crown princes since his father was given the title in 1935.[3]

As Crown Prince, Tupoutoʻa held great influence in Tongan politics, and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1979 to 1998.[4] He had substantial business interests in Tonga and abroad, and was co-chairman of the Shoreline Group (Tonfön).[5]

A documentary dated June 2004 by Australian journalist Gillian Bradford identified some of the challenges facing Tongan society at the time but also showed that Tupoutoʻa was in favour of a gradual transition to more extensive democracy in Tonga. In an interview, he pointed out that free speech in Tonga was protected by the Constitution.[6]

Reign

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Following his father's death on 10 September 2006, he was sworn in as King George Tupou V,[b][8] which also made him, from a traditional viewpoint, the 23rd Tuʻi Kanokupolu (the overlords of Tongatapu). He was recognised as a descendant of the sky god Tangaroa.[9]

Coronation

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George Tupou V following his coronation, 2008

The ceremonial aspects of Tupou V's accession took place in July and August 2008. These were initially to be held in 2007 after the six-month official mourning period for his father (as required of close relatives) and his own birthday. They were also deferred after the 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots as he decided to focus instead on reconstruction of the damaged capital.[10]

During the week of celebrations, two key ceremonies took place to mark his coronation. On 30 July 2008, a Taumafa Kava (royal kava ring) ceremony was held on Malaʻe Pangai, the open space to the east of the Royal Palace. During the ceremony, the king sat on a pile of handwoven pandanus mats in an open pavilion facing the sea, while more than 200 Tongan nobles and chiefs dressed in woven skirts and sea shells circled him. He wore the traditional Tongan taʻovala (woven mat skirt) and a garland of flowers. The ceremony included his formal recognition as the Tuʻi Kanokupolu, and the rightful descendant of King George Tupou I, who united Tonga in the 19th century. The ceremony involved having kava, hundreds of baskets of food, and seventy cooked pigs presented to the King and the assembly of chiefs and nobles.[11]

Later that night, schoolchildren held 30,000 torches to proclaim the coronation in what is known as a tupakapakanava.[11] The traditional torch spectacle was held at a spot overlooking the Pacific and is an ancient honour reserved solely for the Tongan sovereign and Royal Family.[12]

A second, European-style coronation ceremony took place on 1 August 2008 in the Centennial Chapel, Nukuʻalofa.[13] Anglican Archbishop of Polynesia Jabez Bryce invested George Tupou V with the Tongan regalia: the ring, sceptre and sword. During the culmination of the ceremony, Archbishop Bryce placed the Tongan Crown on the monarch's head.[13] Royalty and nobility from around the world were in attendance.[14]

Relinquishing most authority

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Three days before his coronation on 1 August 2008, the King announced that he would relinquish most of his power and be guided by his Prime Minister's recommendations on most matters.[15] The Prime Minister would also be in charge of day-to-day affairs.[16]

In addition, the King announced that there would be parliamentary reform and elections in 2010.[17] Fielakepa, the spokesman for the royal palace, said, "The Sovereign of the only Polynesian kingdom ... is voluntarily surrendering his powers to meet the democratic aspirations of many of his people ... [The people] favour a more representative, elected Parliament. The king agrees with them."[18]

In July 2010, the government published a new electoral roll and called on Tonga's 101,900 citizens to add their names to the document so that they could take part in the historic vote, which was due to be held on 25 November. This meant that a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga would be elected for the first time, rather than appointed by the monarch or drawn from the aristocracy.[19] The king remained head of state, but lost the ability to appoint the prime minister and cabinet members.[19] However, it seemed certain that he would continue to appoint and administer the Judiciary of Tonga for the purposes of assuring that political independence and neutrality were retained.[20] Tupou V also retained the power to commute prison sentences.[21]

Divesting business interests

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As king, his first proclamation was that he would dispose of all his business assets as soon as reasonably possible, and in accordance with the law.[18] Tonfön was sold in 2007,[22] but efforts to divest from Shoreline Power were delayed after New Zealand investors withdrew following the 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots.[23]

Other

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On 24 February 2012, he visited Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City.[24][25]

During his reign, George Tupou V oversaw reforms within the Tongan honours system which both expanded the number of Orders in the Kingdom and created rules to make the award of these Orders more egalitarian.

In 2008 he bestowed noble titles to family members. Most significantly, he restored the title of prince to his nephew, Sitiveni Tukuʻaho (thereafter styled Prince Tungi), who is the eldest son of Prince Fatafehi ʻAlaivahamamaʻo Tukuʻaho.

Illness and death

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In September 2011, Tupou V had surgery to remove a kidney following the discovery of a tumour.[26]

Matangi Tonga reported that George Tupou V died on 18 March at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, though governing institutions in Tonga did not immediately confirm it. His brother and heir presumptive Tupoutoʻa Lavaka was at the hospital when he died.[2][27]

Reactions

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Domestic

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A statement was due following a cabinet meeting the day after his death. Radio Australia reported that Tonga's largest religious organisation, the Free Wesleyan Church, said it would hold a prayer service at the queen mother's residence in Nukuʻalofa.[26] Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō later made a national address calling on the people of Tonga to pray for the royal family and the country, according to Radio New Zealand.

International

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Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of condolence saying that King Tupou was "a true statesman who served his country with distinction".[28]

King Harald V of Norway sent a message of condolence to King Tupou VI, in which he expressed sympathy for the new King, his family and the people of Tonga.[29]

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said: "He believed that the monarchy was an instrument of change and can truly be seen as the architect of evolving democracy in Tonga. This will be his enduring legacy."[30] Māori Kīngi Tūheitia extended his condolences to the Tongan royal family and people.[31]

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that King Tupou's death was the loss of "a great friend" to Australia and pointed to the change he led Tonga through as the "first truly democratic elections, held in November 2010, set the country on a new course."[citation needed] United States President Barack Obama said that King Tupou's death was the loss of "a friend" to the United States and the loss of "a visionary leader" to the people of Tonga.[32]

Funeral

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The coffin of King George Tupou V being carried to the tombs

Following the official announcement of the king's death and giving the proclamation of the new King, Tupou VI, the royal cabinet set up a committee for the organization of the state funeral. Lord Vaea was appointed the chairman of the committee. George Tupou V's body arrived on 26 March 2012, then lay in state at the Royal Palace in Nukuʻalofa for a day.[33] The funeral, originally announced for 28 March 2012, was moved a day forward to 27 March on request of the new King. The decision led to criticism from members of the Tongan diaspora unable to travel to Tonga in time for the funeral.[33][34]

Selected foreign dignitaries were invited by the committee to attend the funeral, including the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, and the Governor-General of New Zealand, Jerry Mateparae. Royal guests at the ceremony included Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Prince Hitachi of Japan and his wife, Princess Hitachi.[33][35]

Family

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In 1974, though unmarried, he had a daughter, ʻIlima Lei Fifita Tohi [to]. In 1997 she married police officer Tulutulumafua-ʻi-Olotele Kalaniuvalu, with whom she had three children. ʻIlima was ineligible to succeed to the throne as the Constitution of Tonga only allowed children born of a royal marriage to do so.[36] Tupou V was engaged to another woman at the time of his death.[37]

Honours

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Royal monogram of King George Tupou V
Styles of
King George Tupou V
 
Reference styleHis Majesty
ko ʻene ʻafio
Spoken styleYour Majesty
ko hoʻo ʻafio

National

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Foreign

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Ancestry

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See the Tongan language page and ancestor's page ...

Family tree

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Notes

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  1. ^ Tongan: Siaosi Tupou V
  2. ^ It might be argued[by whom?] that he became King on his swearing-in (11 September, midday), or on the death of his father the night before. However, although his father's death occurred in New Zealand, where the local time was 23:34 (10 September), Siaosi was in Tonga, where the time was 00:34 (11 September).[7]

References

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  1. ^ Crowning glory or a costly folly? George Tupou V's coronation divides Tonga[dead link] The Sunday Times, 29 July 2008
  2. ^ a b "Tonga king dies in Hong Kong hospital". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  3. ^ Marcus, George E. (1978). "The nobility and the chiefly tradition in the modern Kingdom of Tonga". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 87 (1): 1–73. ISSN 0032-4000. JSTOR 20705328.
  4. ^ "Tupouto'a retires at 50". Matangi Tonga. 26 April 1998. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  5. ^ Kahn, Jennifer (1 December 2002). "The Very Modern Prince". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  6. ^ Bradford, Gillian (16 January 2008). Tonga – Tonga. Journeyman Pictures. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Passing away of His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV". Government of the Kingdom of Tonga. 11 September 2006. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Proclamation of Crown Prince Tupouto'a, the King of the Kingdom of Tonga". Government of the Kingdom of Tonga. 11 September 2006. Archived from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  9. ^ "His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 March 2012.
  10. ^ "user account – Matangi Tonga Online". Archived from the original on 8 December 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  11. ^ a b "King of Tonga crowned". TV New Zealand. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  12. ^ McMahon, Barbara (30 July 2008). "Gutted pigs and narcotic drinks welcome new king of Tonga". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  13. ^ a b Tedmanson, Sophie (1 August 2008). "Lavish coronation ceremony for new King of Tonga". The Times. London. Retrieved 1 August 2008.[dead link]
  14. ^ "Tonga's Coronation celebrations". The Guardian (UK). London. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  15. ^ "Tonga's king to cede key powers", BBC, 29 July 2008
  16. ^ McMahon, Barbara (29 July 2008). "Tongan king promises 'more democracy' for Pacific island". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  17. ^ "His Majesty King George Tupou V- A Monarch for a time of change". Fiji Daily Post. 29 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  18. ^ a b "Tongan King moves towards democracy". The Timaru Herald. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via PressReader.
  19. ^ a b Malkin, Bonnie (11 July 2010). "King of Tonga prepares to give up power". Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Privy Council establishes Commission of Inquiry". Government of Tonga. 2010. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  21. ^ "Tongan king to give up absolute rule". CNN. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  22. ^ "Digicel Pacific to acquire Tonfon Communications". Comms Update. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Tonga seeks funds to buy King's power company". RNZ. 29 January 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Benedetto XVI riceve in udienza il re di Tonga – ZENIT – Italiano". zenit.org. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  25. ^ "Benedetto XVI riceve il re di Tonga". Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  26. ^ a b "Tonga's reformist king dies aged 63". The Kathmandu Post. 19 March 2012.
  27. ^ "Tongan monarch dies at 63" The Australian
  28. ^ "Message of condolence following the death of the King of Tonga, 19 March 2012". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  29. ^ "Kongehuset.no – Condolences". Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  30. ^ "Tonga in mourning after king aged 63 dies – Hindustan Times". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  31. ^ "Pacific.scoop.co.nz " Kiingi Tuheitia extends condolences to Tonga". pacific.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  32. ^ Obama, Barack (19 March 2012). "Statement by the President on the Passing of King George Tupou V of Tonga". whitehouse.gov (Press release). Retrieved 19 March 2012 – via National Archives.
  33. ^ a b c Tahana, Yvonne (24 March 2012). "Change of day for King's funeral upsets expat Tongans". The New Zealand Herald.
  34. ^ "Expatriate Tongans angry King's funeral date has changed". RNZ. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  35. ^ "King George Tupou V's burial date to be confirmed". Matangi Tonga. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  36. ^ Jane Phare (17 September 2006). "The madness of King George of Tonga". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2006.
  37. ^ "Tonga remembers matriarch with a heart for the people". RNZ. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024. The late King George V was betrothed and set to marry Malia Tapa Tapai So Kihe Hau in December 2012 but died in March that year.
  38. ^ "Photo" (JPG). 36th-parallel.com.
  39. ^ "Photo" (JPG). constantinian.org.uk.
  40. ^ "Photo" (JPG). img.scoop.co.nz.
  41. ^ "Photo" (JPG). static2.stuff.co.nz.
  42. ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  43. ^ a b "Photo". sun-yachts.com. Archived from the original (JPG) on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  44. ^ "Photo" (JPG). pacific.scoop.co.nz.
  45. ^ "Photo" (JPG). pacific.scoop.co.nz.
  46. ^ "Photo" (JPG). weltrekordreise.ch.
  47. ^ "Photo" (JPG). gmic.co.uk.
  48. ^ "Photo" (JPG). gmic.co.uk.
  49. ^ "Royal House of Georgia | Order Eagle of Georgia | Order Distinguished Members". Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  50. ^ Origo. "Rajong a magyarokért a Schmitt Pál által kitüntetett király". Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  51. ^ "New Tongan king: A lifetime in politics". The New Zealand Herald. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  52. ^ "King of Tonga Invested into the Order – Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George". 28 February 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  53. ^ "World Leaders honoured by Constantinian Order at London Investiture Ceremony – Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George". 29 July 2012.
  54. ^ Administrator. "King George Tupou V invested in Order of Francis I". mic.gov.to. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
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George Tupou V
House of Tupou
Born: 4 May 1948 Died: 18 March 2012
Titles of nobility
Preceded by 3rd Chief Tupoutoʻa [citation needed]
1966–2006 		Succeeded by
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Tonga
2006–2012 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Tupou_V&oldid=1256037678"