Royal Luncheon For Their Majesties Hosted By The Cabinet And The Government Of Tonga Featured
HM King Tupou VI At The Royal Luncheon Hosted By Government
Nuku'alofa, 6 July 2015. Tonga continues to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u with feasting, dancing and colourful celebrations following their crowning at the Coronation Service here in Nuku’alofa on Saturday, July 4.
Guests, including invited Heads of States and VIPs from around the globe, have been feasting with the Royal Family, starting with the Coronation Luncheon at the Royal Palace grounds straight after the Coronation Service last Saturday.
That was followed by a Coronation Dinner at the Masefield Naval Base at Touliki, in Ma’ufanga on Saturday night.
On Sunday, Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, Their Majesties eldest child and only daughter, hosted Their Majesties and guests at The Villa in Matakieua, following the Thanksgiving Service at the Centenary Church Saione in the Old Village or Kolomotu’a.
Today Prime Minister Hon Samiuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, the members of Cabinet and the Government of Tonga hosted the luncheon for Their Majesties and guests at Pangai Lahi.
On Saturday night the traditional tutupakanava event, which included the lighting of fire right across the Vuna Road waterfront from Popua to Sopu and the lighting of fire on the islands of Pangaimotu, Makaha’a and Fafa, was held.
That event included school students from schools on Tongatapu having the chance to be part of the program – and lit up Nuku’alofa and the surrounding three islands.
That was followed by the Firework Display program, which attracted thousands to the waterfront. The Military Parade started off the day today, with members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces putting on a display at Pangai Lahi in honour of their Commander-in-Chief. His Majesty King Tupou VI was also able to inspect the Guard of Honour.
The combined bands of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, the New Zealand Armed Forces and the United States of America Marines provided the music during the event.
Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho and other members of the Royal Family also attended this morning’s event.
The combined military forces will also put on the Military Tattoo this evening for Their Majesties at Pangai Lahi and on Tuesday evening before His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a Ulukalala. At the Government-hosted luncheon today, Hon Prime Minister Pohiva told Their Majesties and guests that the Government of Tonga was happy to be able to host the event. He said Government wishes Their Majesties good health and a blessed rulership as they lead the Kingdom of Tonga into the future.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni then led guests in toasting Their Majesties at the luncheon. Meanwhile, Government has also approved a Public Holiday on Tuesday, July 7 to honour Their Majesties on their coronation. Prime Minister Hon Pohiva said the public holiday is a day when Government wants people to remember and honour the official ascension to the throne of Their Majesties as the King and Queen of Tonga.
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Issued by: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.
