His Majesty King George Tupou V departed Nuku'alofa on Saturday 24th November to travel through Asia and Europe over the Christmas and New Year festive period.  His Majesty is travelling overseas to maintain the strong foreign ties between the Kingdom of Tonga and many Asian and European countries.

During the absence of His Majesty from Tonga, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita, is the Princess Regent and will remain within the Kingdom during the absence of His Majesty King George Tupou V.  The Princess Regent is likely to spend Christmas at Vava'u and celebrate the New Year in Nuku'alofa.

Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho has recently returned from Apia, Samoa where she payed her last respects to the late Masiofo Mrs. Fetaui Malemou Mata'afa (wife of the former Samoan High Chief Mata'afa).  Mrs. Mata'afa was the former Samoan Consul-General to New Zealand and her daughter, Honourable Fieame, member of the Samoan Cabinet.