Farewell King of Tonga

Air, Navy, Army, Parade, People, 40 Sqn: Transporting the body of the King of Tonga from New Zealand back to Tonga. Interior of the C-130 Herc of 40 Sqn ready to carry the King body home to Tonga. 19 September 2006

One hundred NZDF personnel, including personnel from 2 Signals Squadron, made up a tri-service Guard of Honour to farewell King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.

King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, who had ruled Tonga for 41 years, died on 10 September following a long illness. He was 88. His body had been lying in state at his royal residence, Atalanga, in the Auckland suburb of Epsom.

Personnel farewelled the King’s casket as it was loaded on to an RNZAF Hercules last week.

Army, Tri Service, Auckland, Parade: Royal Guard of Honour for King of Tonga Coffin. Members of Tonga Royal Family passing Army/Navy GoH and RNZAF Sqn Ldr. An Air Force Boeing 757 transported dignitaries, VIPs and members of the Government to Tonga for the state funeral. Brigadier Rhys Jones, representing the Chief of Defence Force, and WO1 John Barclay, Warrant Officer of the Defence Force, attended on behalf of the NZDF.

After the burial, Tonga will observe a one-month mourning period. The royal court will be in mourning for six months.

Tonga’s new monarch, King Siaosi Tupou V, succeeds his father.

Image Gallery - Issue 363

This page was last reviewed on 21 September 2006 and is current.

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