CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE KINGDOM OF TONGA

NOTICE

It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that the Consulate General respectfully
informs of the most lamentable passing away of his Majesty King George Tupou V on
the 18th of March 2012.

A Book of Condolences will be opened at the Consulate General at 360 Post St,
Suite 604, San Francisco, CA 94108 which will be available for signing on Tuesday the
2ih, Wednesday the 28th and Thursday the 29th of March 2012 from 11.00am -1.00pm.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday April 1, 2012 at 5:00 p.m at the First Tongan United Methodist of Palo Alto located at 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301. For more information, please call the Office at: (415) 816-9132 during Business Hours. 

March 20th, 2012

20 March 2012  A government Gazette was approved to the announcement of the passing away of His Majesty King George Tupou V by the Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano on 20 March 2012:

DEATH OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE TUPOU V

[HONOURARY ROYAL TITLES] TO BE PROVIDED BY LORD CHAMBERLAIN

It is with deep humility and profused sorrow, shared by the Royal Family, Government, Nobles, Church Leaders and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga, that I respectfully announce the most lamentable passing away of His Majesty King George Tupou V, which occurred in Hong Kong, China, at 15:58 hrs (Hong Kong, China time), which was 20:58 hrs (Tonga time), on 18^th March 2012.

To honour His Late Majesty King George Tupou V, most beloved Monarch of Tonga, the period of State mourning shall be [PERIOD OF STATE MOURNING], months from today, and ending on [END OF DATE OF STATE MOURNING]. During this period all flags throughout the Kingdom shall be flown at halfmast.

Lord Tu'ivakano

Prime Minister of Tonga

Other legal matters surrounding the passing of a Monarch include a royal proclamation of the New King and a Title that He would like to use, and to be published in the Government Gazette.

A proclamation of the New King was made on 19^th March, 2012, upon receiving Royal Command of His Majesty, the New King of Tonga's title, from former Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka.

The Title for the New Monarch of Tonga will be His Majesty King Tupou VI, King of the Kingdom of Tonga.

..........................................

PROCLAMATION

In the name of His Majesty

KING TUPOU VI

King of Tonga

By Lord Tu'ivakano

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy His Late Majesty King George Tupou V by who decease the Crown of the Kingdom of Tonga devolves upon Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka, We, Tu'ivakano, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Information and Communications; Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Works and Transport; Ma'afu, Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change; Vaea, Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries; Sunia Manu Fili, Minister for Finance, National Planning and Revenue Services; Sosefo Fe'aomoeata Vakata, Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports; Viliami Uasike Latu, Minister for Tourism; Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo, Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services; ‘Isilelei Pulu, Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries; William Clive Edwards, Minister for Justice and Public Enterprises; ‘Ana Maui Taufe'ulungaki, Minister for Education, Women's Affairs and Culture; ‘Uliti Uata, Minister for Health; the Cabinet Ministers of Government; Lasike, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Michael Dishington-Scott, Chief Justice of the Judiciary of Tonga, do now hereby, with one full voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka has now become the only lawful and rightful heir to the throne, King of the Kingdom of Tonga, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience with all hearty and humble affection, beseeching God by Whom Kings and Queen do reign, to bless His Majesty, KING TUPOU VI, with long and happy years to reign over us.

Given under my hand at Nuku'alofa, this 19^th day of March in the year two thousand and twelve of our Lord.

Busby Salesi Kautoke

Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet

>>> VIEW Tongan version HERE

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2012. Tel: +676 28-170 Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Announcing of the Passing Away of a Monarch, King George Tupou V of Tonga
19 March 2012

The Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano made a brief announcement to the nation this morning at 7:00 AM on radio in Tongan language, of the passing away of Tonga’s Monarch.

He said…’It is with deep humility and profound sorrow, shared by the Royal Family, Nobles, Government, Church Leaders, and the people of Tonga, that I respectfully announce the most
lamentable passing away of His Majesty King George Tupou V, which occurred in Hong Kong, at 3:00 PM on 18th March 2012, during his visit there.’

He added that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka was at his bedside when the King passed away.

Today, let us joined together in prayer for the Royal Family and the people of Tonga, as the Prime Minister concluded the sad announcement.

Further details and the arrangements for the State Funeral will be made known once available.
ENDS

Issued by the: Prime Minister’s Office, Nuku’alofa, 2012.