By Baron Henri Estramant.
It has been announced that His Majesty The King of Tonga is due to be crowned in July 2015.
King Tupou VI acceded to the Tongan throne on 18 March 2012 after the sudden demise of his bachelor older brother, King Siaosi Tupou V (1948 – 2012). Before his accession to the throne King Tupou VI was Tonga’s first High Commissioner to Australia (a position now occupied by her daughter, HRH Princess Latufupeka), and non-resident Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. Unlike the Benelux monarchs, The King of Tonga is actually crowned in a European-style ceremony held after a week of celebrations, and rituals to anoint the new monarch.
Tongan royalty used to be considered to descend from Tangaloa, God of the Sky, however, this legend has fallen into abeyance since King Siaosi I converted to Christianity along with his family. His Majesty King Tupou VI is married to HM Queen Nanasipau’u, and has three children.
Tonga has the last remaining Sovereign in all of Oceania. Other kings in the region enjoy limited recognition in other polities. Tonga has one embassy (High Commission) in London responsible for the Benelux countries. There are ongoing discussions to move the diplomatic mission from London to Brussels. Diplomatic relations to Tonga are handled by the Royal Dutch Embassy in New Zealand. The Netherlands is the only Benelux country with an Honorary Consul in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital.
