Saturday – 6pm

Former British High Commisioner  Residence, Nuku'alofa

The Kingdom of Tonga is preparing to receive its foreign dignitaries in true Tongan style, with gracious hospitality.   Pigs are being slaughtered, umu are being dug and fish are being caught in preparation.  Many Tongan people are freely giving of their time to weed, clean and prepare the streets for the State Funeral of their beloved late Monarch.   Black and purple ribbon and cloth adorn residences and decorate fences throughout the Kingdom.

Meeting of Lord Chamberlain and Japanese Ambassador based in Fiji and Protocol Officer 

Members of Royal families from across the world, Heads of State, Heads of Government and other dignitaries are starting to arrive to attend the funeral on Tuesday of His Majesty King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.   Further information about delegations from Asia, Europe, the Pacific, United States and other parts of the world is provided below.

Asia

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan will arrive on a chartered flight with a grand entourage of the Imperial Household, to pay his respects to the late King of Tonga.  A Special Envoy of President Hu Jintao from China will arrive in the Kingdom, led by the Vice Minister of Commerce, His Excellency Mr Liao Xiaoqi, with strong representation from Directors and Chiefs of the Oceania Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  From other parts of Asia, the Ambassadors from Korea and Thailand, His Excellency Mr Jung-seung Shin and his Excellency Mr Norachit Sinhaseni, (respectively); and the High Commissioners from Malaysia and India, Her Excellency Ms. Nafisah Mohamed and His Excellency Mr Ajay Singh will be in attendance. 

Former British High Commisioner  Residence, Nuku'alofa 

Europe

On the waterfront not far from the Palace, the British Residence is being prepared to receive Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.  The Royal couple will spend four days in the Kingdom to attend the State Funeral of the late Tongan King. 

Also representing the United Kingdom will be High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. Roger Sykes who will arrive in Tonga this morning.

The European Commission will be represented by Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Roberto Ridolphi.  Ambassadors from other European countries include: His Excellency Ms. Rasha H E ter Braak from the Netherlands; His Excellency Mr. Jorg Zimmerman from Germany; His Excellency Mr. Jean Francois Bouffandeau from France; His Excellency Mr Evangelos Damianakis from Greece; His Excellency Mr Beat Nobs from Switzerland; and the Honorary Consul for Sweden will be represented by Tongan based Ms Aloma Johansson. 

Pacific

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Secretary General Mr Greg Urwin, will attend the State funeral.   Sir Douglas Graham Special Envoy for Commonwealth Secretary General will also attend with Mr Albert Mariner, Political Advisor (Caribbean and Pacific).

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Right Honourable Helen Clark will attend the State funeral along with the Governor General of New Zealand, His Excellency the Hon Anand Satyanand.     King Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki will represent Tainui Royalty; the Paramount Chief of Tuwharetoa, Tumu te Heuheu and Mark Solomon, Chairman of Ngai Tahu will also attend.   The presence of two Maori Ministers of Government, Hon Parekura Horomia and Hon Nanaia Mahuta will ensure that the indigenous people of Aotearoa, New Zealand are well represented at the funeral.

Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, the first Pacific woman Minister in New Zealand Parliament will also attend.  Chief Justice Rt. Hon Dame Sian Elias completes the New Zealand contingent. 

From Australia, the Governor General His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery will attend with a delegation of Defence Advisors and Officials. 

A large delegation from Fiji will be attending the funeral of the late King of Tonga, including Deputy President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi Mainabua Tuimacilai and Prime Minister Hon. Laisenia Qarase.  Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who is the late King’s first cousin, is already in Tonga having accompanied His late Majesty from New Zealand on the Royal flight.  It is anticipated that the Leader of the Fijian Labour Party, Mahendra Choudry will also attend.

A chartered flight from Samoa will arrive for the funeral on Tuesday bringing Deputy Head of State His Excellency Vaaletoa Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano II and Mrs Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano.  They will be accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Auseugaefa Vaasatia Poloma Komiti. 

From American Samoa, Governor His Excellency Togiola T A Tulafono and the First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono will be in attendance.  American Samoa Representative to the United States Congress - Congressmen Eni F. Hunkin Faleomavaega- accompanied Deputy Chief of Staff, Motu L Seui Jr. will also attend.    

From French Polynesia, His Excellency President Oscar Temaru and Mrs Temaru will be in attendance.  President Temaru visited His Majesty the late King at Mercy Hospital in Auckland, in the final weeks before He passed.

From the Marshall Islands, Ambassador His Excellency Mr Mack Kaminaga and from Nauru, Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs Hon. David Adeang and Vice Consul, Mrs Clarissa Jeremiah will attend.  The Federated States of Micronesia will be represented by Ambassador His Excellency Mr Kodaro M Gallen and from Papua New Guinea the High Commissioner designate His Excellency Mr Bernard Narokobi will attend.     
United States and Canada

The Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Larry Dinger, arrives in the Kingdom today to represent the United States of America.  The Commander of the US Army Pacific, Lieutenant General John Brown III will arrive on a US Forces military aircraft.  The Defence Attache, Lietenant Colonel Patrick Reardon will also   From Canada, the Consul (Commercial), Mr G Mark Scullion will attend.

Other Dignitaries

Charge d’Affaires a.i. Msgr Janusz Urbanczyk will also attend as the representative of the Vatican, alongside Rev Msgr Sione M Katoa Vicar General of the Diocese of Tonga.