Dr. Luka Müller-Studer & HM King Tupou VI – Picture by Honorary Consulate of Tonga in Zürich.
King Tupou VI exits the church after his coronation ceremony in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, July 4, 2015. The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band participated in the coronation ceremonies alongside bands from Tonga, Australia and New Zealand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittney Vito/Released)
Friday, 23 August 2019, Zürich, Canton of Zürich, Swiss Confederation: His Majesty The King of Tonga, Tupou VI, opened an Honorary Consulate located at the Zollstrasse 62, CH-8031 Zürich, a first in Switzerland.
Honorary Consul of Tonga is Dr. Luka Müller, a lawyer by profession, and husband of TV presenter and singer Sandra Studer. Consul Dr. Müller-Studer likewise owns a small hotel in the capital Nuku’alofa on the island of Tongatapu. Through a foundation he invests in solar energy, agricultural and development projects in the South Pacific country.
The Kingdom of Tonga is inhabited by over 100,000 people, comprises 176 islands, whereof merely 36 are inhabited. The country is going through economically difficult times: the kingdom exports tropical fruit, however, foreign fishing fleets and cheap agricultural products are damaging its own economy.
Most of what the inhabitants of Tonga need for their daily lives is imported. Tourism is poorly developed. The country is dependent on development aid and money that Tongans transfer abroad to their relatives.
King Tupou VI has been on the throne since 2012, and was crowned in 2015 (https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2015/09/16/enthronement-of-tongan-king-tupou-vi/).
For further information :
Tongan Monarchy: https://www.royalpalace.to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga: http://mic.gov.to/ministrydepartment/14-govt-ministries/mfat
Honorary Consul Dr. Luka Müller: https://www.mme.ch/en/team/luka_mueller/
