Royal Bearers convey the late King's casket into the awaiting hearse

The Kingdom waited as the grey Royal New Zealand Air force C130 Hercules descended from the sky.  The aircraft arrived before 4.00pm ensuring that the cortege reached the Palace in daylight hours.   The flight took five hours and departed New Zealand early on Wednesday morning.

His Majesty the King Siaosi Tupou V stood on the tarmac with His brother, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata and other Royal family members, donning traditional Tongan mourning clothes.  The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister joined the Royal family awaiting the flight.  

HRH Princess Pilolevu in full mourning atire

Her Majesty the Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho descended from the aircraft followed by Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu and other Royal family members.  Their Royal Highnesses, Princess Pilolevu and Princess Siu’ilikutapu wore full length ta’ovala, sweeping their bodies and partially veiling their faces.   The full grief of mourning was felt keenly by all.  

The Royal Chaplain, Reverend Dr Alifeleti Malakai Mone blessed the arrival of the late Monarch’s casket.  Fourteen commissioned Officers of the Tonga Defence Services comprised the Bearer Party who uplifted the Royal casket.  In full military uniforms they slow marched in precise and perfect unison.  The Royal casket emerged from the plane, draped in red velvet bearing the Royal insignia.  The Bearer Party carried the casket slowly to the hearse.  The Ha’a Tufunga (Royal undertakers) sat in rows lining a pathway to the vehicle. 
The airport was quiet except for the flapping of dark tents, which held dignitaries watching in silence.  Women of the Tungi Estates sat respectfully lining yards of ngatu. 

The deep blue Royal hearse led the cortege from the airport to the Palace.  Rows of school children sat on each side of the road with their heads bowed.  The first school represented was Tupou College, which was the Free Wesleyan Church secondary school that the late King attended.

Village after village, the streets were filled with people in black paying their respects and witnessing the cortege as it proceeded slowly through Tongatapu streets.

Full length launima with people of the Tungi Estate

Police Officers in white, with black sashes around their waists, were regularly stationed between the airport and the Palace, saluting the cars in solemn silence.  As the procession moved through different villages, ngatu and fine mats lined the roads.  Purple fabric shimmered on fences and black was draped on every possible surface.  Condolence messages were written on placards; messages in English, Tongan and even Chinese.
By the time the procession reached Tufumahina Royal Residence, a twenty one gun salute was issued.  The closer the convoy arrived to the city centre; the wider the rows of people swelled.  The people of Tonga turned out in huge numbers to witness their beloved late King return home to his final resting place.           
APO runs until twelve midnight.  Only on the final night will it run all evening.       

More funeral procession images are available in the gallery