Fiji's PM To Attend King George Tupou V Coronation

Prime Minister Bainimarama to attend coronation of His Majesty King George Tupou V

Jul 28, 2008 - The Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and Mrs Mary Bainimarama will attend the coronation of His Majesty King George V in Nukua’lofa Tonga from 29/7- 2/8.

Commodore Bainimarama will lead the Fiji delegation to the Kingdom of Tonga and accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and wife Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau.

Other members of the delegation include PM's security personnel. All the travel costs for this trip is being met from within the 2008 Budget allocation.

The Coronation of King George Tupou V will mark a historic event in the friendly Kingdom of Tonga and the beginning of a new chapter for the Pacific’s monarch since the passing away of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, who was the eldest son of Queen Salote and her consort Tungi Mailefihi.

King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV married Halaevalu Mata’aho on the 10th of June 1947. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and Queen Mata'aho have four children. The eldest is the Crown Prince Tupouto'a, followed by their only daughter Princess Pilolevu, their second son Ma'atu, and third son Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata.

The coronation will last a week beginning on Wednesday 30th July, 2008 with the traditional installation ceremony of His Majesty King George Tupou V known as the Taumafa Kava, followed by the Royal Honours Investiture Ceremony and then Tupakapakanava which is the traditional torch spectacle at which the north shore of Nuku’alofa.

For this item which is an ancient traditional honour accorded only to the Royal Family, islets facing the Nuku’alofa Harbour, and villages visible from Nuku’alofa Harbour will be illuminated by torch bearers , secondary and primary school students, at regular intervals for a duration of one hour.

On Thursday, 31st July, 2008 there will be a Royal Dinner in honour of Royal Families Represented at the Coronation and then on Friday 1st August, the Coronation of His Majesty King George Tupou V followed by the Royal Luncheon (following Coronation Ceremony) and then another Tupakapakanava or Traditional Torch Spectacle only accorded to the Royal Family.

The evening will be celebrated with a Royal Charity Concert & Fireworks Display and Coronation Ball

On Saturday, 2nd August, 2008, there will be a Coronation Military Parade followed by a Royal Luncheon and traditional Dances Entertainment

Commodore Bainimarama will return on Saturday August 2nd, 2008.

ENDS

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