Day 5 – 6pm

The Programme for the State Funeral has been set.  A gold gilt embossed red volume has been produced.  From 9.00am in the morning, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and other Representations of Foreign Governments will be escorted to the Palace to pay their respects.  They will be followed by Heads of Government and Heads of States. Finally, members of other Royal Families will be escorted to the Palace to pay their respects.
At 11.45am, the Funeral Procession will form ready for the Royal Cortege to depart at 12.00pm.  As the Procession departs from the Palace down Hala Tu’i to the Royal Tombs, Mala’e Kula, the Free Wesleyan Centenary Church bell will begin to toll.  The last vigil of the Catafalque Party will be dismounted.  The Royal Casket will be conveyed by the Military Bearers to the Royal Catafalque. 

The Catafalque will then transfer to the charge of Lauaki, the traditional Royal Undertaker.  The Pall bearers, 1,000 strong, will be drawn from the ex-students of Tupou College and selected men from the districts throughout Tongatapu.  They will walk down Hala Tu’i (the road of the King) towards Mala’e Kula, which lies at the end of this road. 

View of the funeral procession from Mala'e Kula burial site to the Palace

The Funeral Service will be held in the sacred space of Mala’e Kula, in the open air.  This has been the final resting place of the Royal family since 1893, when King George Tupou I decided to consecrate the area as his burial site. 

The 100-strong Guard of Honour, Tonga Defence Services Detachment, will lead the procession followed by ‘En Masse Band’ made up of the Tonga Police Force and Royal Corps of Musicians. 

View from inside Palace grounds to Mala'e Kula

The Lord-in-Waiting will be the first in the Royal Cortege followed by Officiating Clergy and Church leaders of Tonga.  The Royal Bier and Lord Bearers of the Insignia will follow. 

HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu and Lord Tuita will lead the procession, followed by HRH Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata and HRH Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho.  Their Royal Highnesses will be followed by close family members, Princesses, Lords and Ladies, Fijian relatives of the Royal Family and the Royal Grandchildren.  Following the grandchildren will be the Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Ministers of the Crown with their spouses.  They will be followed by Nobles of the Realm, the Hon. Chief Justice, Hon. Speaker of the House, members of the Legislative Assembly and spouses of the aforementioned.  Relatives of the Royal Family will follow.  A full list of the procession will be provided via PDF on this website.

Overseas Royalty and Dignitaries will begin arriving at Mala’ekula at 11.00am.  Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho and His Majesty King George Tupou V will arrive shortly before the Royal Cortege is expected to reach Mala’ekula at 12.30pm.

The ceremony will begin with “Ke Mou Ma’oni’oni”.  Rev. Lopeti Taufa, former Royal Chaplain and former President of the Free Wesleyan Church will call all present to worship.  Bible readings from John, Job, and Timothy have been selected to open the State Funeral.

His Lordship Dr Soane Lilo Foliaki will announce the hymn: “To e Talatalanoa.”   This will be followed by a prayer by Rev. Dr ‘Ahio.  Interdenominational Church leaders will take part in the programme.  The sermon will be read by the Royal Chaplain, Rev. Dr ‘Alifeleti Malakai Mone.  The theme of the sermon will be “The Glorification of Jesus Christ”. 

Final path to Mala'e Kula

Specially selected prayers, bible readings and hymns will be included in the Programme and led by Tongan Church Leaders, including Rev. Semisi Fonua, Rev. Luke T. Sikalu, Rev. Dr Feke Mafi, Rev. Dr Liufau Vailea Saulala, Mission President Siaosi Moleni, Rev. ‘Ofa Fatafehi, President Manu Latu, Rev. Pukemo’ui ‘Aipolu, Rev. Penisimani Tavalu Fonua, Rev. Tevita Samiu, and the Most Rev. Archbishop Jabez Leslie Bryce.  The Royal Chaplain will conclude with the benediction.

The Royal Salute will be followed by the laying of wreaths.  Finally, the ceremony will conclude with the Tongan National Anthem and departure of His Majesty King George Tupou V and Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho.  They will be followed by international royalty and dignitaries.