George Tupou V: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=DecemberJanuary 20202024}}

| image = George Tupou V of Tonga, 2011 (cropped).jpg

| caption = George Tupou V in 2011

| succession = [[List of monarchs of Tonga|King of Tonga]]

| reign = 11 September 2006 – 18 March 2012

| coronation = 1 August 2008

| predecessor = [[Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV]]

| successor = [[Tupou VI|'Aho’eitu Tupou VI]]

| reg-type = {{nowrap|[[Prime Minister of Tonga|Prime Ministers]]}}

| regent = {{ListCollapsible collapsedlist|title=''See list''|1=[[Feleti Sevele]]<br />[[Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō]]}}

| full name = Siaosi Tāufaʻāhau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho

|father house = [[Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV|Tāufaʻāhau= Tupou IV of Tonga]]

| mother = [[Halaevalu Mata'aho 'Ahome'e|Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe]]

| birth_date = {{birth date|1948|5|4|df=y}}

| birth_place = [[Tongatapu]], [[Tonga]]

| death_date = {{death date and age|2012|3|18|1948|5|4|df=y}}

| death_place = [[Queen Mary Hospital (Hong Kong)|Queen Mary Hospital]], [[Pok Fu Lam]], [[Hong Kong]]

| burial_place = [[Malaʻekula]]

| religion = [[Free Wesleyan Church]]

'''George Tupou V''' ([[Tongan language{{efn|{{lang-to|Tongan]]: '''Siaosi Tupou''', fullV}}}} name: '''(Siaosi Tāufaʻāhau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho Tupou'''; 4 May 1948{{spaced ndash}}18 March 2012) was the [[List of Tonganmonarchs Monarchsof Tonga|King]] of [[Tonga]]<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/tongan-monarch-dies-at-63/story-e6frg6so-1226303362395 "Tonganfrom monarch2006 diesto athis 63"]death ''Thein Australian''</ref>2012. fromHe was the deatheldest son of his fatherKing [[Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV]] in 2006 until his own death six years later.

Prince Siaosi was born on 4 May 1948, as the eldest child of [[Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV|Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa- Tungī of Tonga]] (sonand ofhis wife [[SāloteHalaevalu TupouMataʻaho IIIʻAhomeʻe|QueenCrown SālotePrincess Tupou IIIHalaevalu]], andduring [[Viliamithe Tungīreign Mailefihi|Prince Viliami]]) andof his wifegrandmother [[HalaevaluSālote MataʻahoTupou ʻAhomeʻeIII|CrownQueen PrincessSālote HalaevaluTupou III]].

Tupou VHe attended [[King's School, Auckland|King's School]] and [[King's College, Auckland|King's College]], both in [[Auckland]]. This was followed by periods at [[The Leys School]] in Cambridge, and another school in Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4419058.ece Crowning glory or a costly folly? George Tupou V's coronation divides Tonga] The Sunday Times, 29 July 2008</ref> He also studied at [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]] and the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] in England.<ref name="aljaz" />

In 1974, though unmarried, Tupou Vhe had a daughter, 'Ilima{{ill|ʻIlima Lei Fifita Tohi|to|ʻIlima Lei Kalaniuvalu (Fifita Tohi)}}. In 1997 she married police officer Tulutulumafua i'-ʻi-Olotele Kalaniuvalu, andwith haswhom she had three children. AccordingʻIlima towas theineligible to [[ConstitutionSuccession ofto Tongathe Tongan throne|succeed]], ʻIlima is ineligible to accede to the throne as the [[Constitution of Tonga]] only allowed children born of a royal marriage may [[Line of succession to thedo Tongan throne|succeed]]so.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jane Phare |date=17 September 2006 |authortitle=JaneThe Pharemadness of King George of Tonga |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10401690 |titleurl-status=Thedeviated madness of King George of Tonga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014040819/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10401690 |workarchive-date=The14 NewOctober Zealand Herald2006 |access-date=21 October 2006 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}</ref>

As Crown Prince, Tupoutoʻa held great influence in Tongan politics, and was [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Tonga)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] from 1979 to 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-04-26 |title=Tupouto'a retires at 50 |url=https://matangitonga.to/1998/04/27/tupouto-retires-50 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Matangi Tonga |language=en}}</ref> He had substantial business interests in Tonga and abroad, and was co-chairman of the Shoreline Group/ ([[Tonfön]]).<ref>{{Cite Asmagazine king, his|last=Kahn |first=Jennifer proclamation|date=2002-12-01 was|title=The thatVery heModern wouldPrince dispose|url=https://www.wired.com/2002/12/prince/ of all|url-status=live his business assets as soon as reasonably possible, and in accordance with the law|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103095058/https://www.wired.com/2002/12/prince/ Tonfön|archive-date=2016-01-03 had|access-date=2024-09-03 since been sold, but|magazine=Wired the King was unable during his lifetime to rid himself of the remainder of the Shoreline Group after the [[2006 Nuku‘alofa riots]]|language=en-US scared potential buyers from making a deal.{{or|dateissn=March 20121059-1028}}</ref>

The ceremonial aspects of Tupou V's accession took place in July and August 2008. These were initially to be held in 2007 after the six-month [[official mourning]] period for his father (as required of close relatives) and his own birthday. They were also deferred after the [[2006 TongaNukuʻalofa riots]] as he decided to focus instead on reconstruction of the damaged capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/royalty/coronation301106.shtml|title=user account -– Matangi Tonga Online|access-date=4 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208225802/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/royalty/coronation301106.shtml|archive-date=8 December 2006}}</ref>

During the week of celebrations, two key ceremonies took place to mark Tupou V'shis coronation. On 30 July 2008, a ''Taumafa Kava'' (Royalroyal Kavakava Ringring) ceremony) was held on Malaʻe Pangai, the open space to the east of the Royal Palace. During the ceremony, Tupouthe Vking sat on a pile of handwoven ''[[pandanus]]'' mats in an open pavilion facing the sea, while more than 200 Tongan nobles and chiefs dressed in woven skirts and sea shells circled him. He wore the traditional Tongan ''[[ta'ovala|taʻovala]]'' (woven mat skirt) and a garland of flowers. During thisThe ceremony, Tupouincluded V washis formallyformal recognisedrecognition as the ''Tuʻi Kanokupolu'', and the rightful descendant of King [[George Tupou I]], who united Tonga in the 19th century. The ceremony involved having ''[[kava]]'', hundreds of baskets of food, and seventy cooked pigs presented to the King and the assembly of chiefs and nobles.<ref name="King of Tonga crowned">{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/1960158|title=King of Tonga crowned|date=1 August 2008|publisher=TV New Zealand|access-date=1 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518094624/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/1960158|archive-date=18 May 2011}}</ref>

A second, European-style [[coronation]] ceremony took place on 1 August 2008 in the Centennial Chapel, Nuku’alofaNukuʻalofa.<ref name="Lavish coronation ceremony for new King of Tonga">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4440717.ece|title=Lavish coronation ceremony for new King of Tonga|date= 1 August 2008|work=The Times |location=London |access-date=1 August 2008 | first=Sophie | last=Tedmanson}}</ref> [[Diocese of Polynesia|Anglican Archbishop of Polynesia]] [[Jabez Bryce]] invested George Tupou V with the Tongan regalia: the ring, sceptre and sword. During the culmination of the ceremony, Archbishop Bryce placed the Tongan Crown on the monarch's head.<ref name="Lavish coronation ceremony for new King of Tonga" /> Royalty and nobility from around the world were in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2008/jul/31/1 |title= Tonga's Coronation celebrations |newspaper=The Guardian (UK) |date= 1 August 2008 |access-date= 24 March 2012 |location=London}}</ref>

Three days before his coronation on 1 August 2008, the King announced that he would relinquish most of his power and be guided by his [[Prime Minister of Tonga|Prime Minister]]'s recommendations on most matters.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7530209.stm "Tonga's king to cede key powers"], BBC, 29 July 2008</ref> The Prime Minister would also be in charge of day-to-day affairs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/29/1|title=Tongan king promises 'more democracy' for Pacific island|work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=29 July 2008|date=29 July 2008 | first=Barbara | last=McMahon}}</ref> Tupou V would still have the powers to appoint judges and [[commutation of sentence|commute prison sentences]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/29/tonga.king/|title=Tongan king to give up absolute rule|publisher=CNN|access-date=29 July 2008|date=29 July 2008}}</ref> The King also sold off lucrative business interests as part of the announcement.<ref name=NZ>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-timaru-herald/20080730/281827164544029 |title= Tongan King moves towards democracy |work=Timaru Herald |access-date=8 January 2022 |date=30 July 2008 |via=PressReader}}</ref> In addition, the King announced that there would be parliamentary reform and elections in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fijidailypost.com/feature.php?date=20080728&index=575|title=His Majesty King George Tupou V- A Monarch for a time of change|work=Fiji Daily Post|access-date=28 July 2008|date=29 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140202150419/http://fijidailypost.com/feature.php?date=20080728&index=575|archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> Fielakepa, the spokesman for the royal palace, said, "The Sovereign of the only [[Polynesia]]n kingdom ... is voluntarily surrendering his powers to meet the democratic aspirations of many of his people ... [The people] favour a more representative, elected [[Legislative Assembly of Tonga|Parliament]]. The king agrees with them."<ref name=NZ />

In July 2010, the government published a new electoral roll and called on Tonga's 101,900 citizens to add their names to the document so that they cancould take part in the [[2010 Tongan general election|historic vote]], which was due to be held on 25 November. HeThis wouldmeant remainthat heada majority of state,members butof losethe his[[Legislative executiveAssembly powers,of includingTonga]] would be elected for the abilityfirst totime, appointrather than appointed by the primemonarch ministeror anddrawn ministersfrom the aristocracy.<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/tongafrenchpolynesia/7884094/King-of-Tonga-prepares-to-give-up-power.html|title=King of Tonga prepares to give up power|first=By Bonnie Malkin in|last=SydneyMalkin|date=11 July 2010 |access-date=4 June 2017}}</ref> The king remained head of state, but lost the ability to appoint the prime minister and cabinet members.<ref name=Telegraph /> However, it seemed certain that the Monarchhe would continue to appoint and administer the Judiciary of Tonga for the purposes of assuring that political independence and neutrality were retained.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pmo.gov.to/privy-council-approves-establishment-of-royal-commission-of-inquiry-into-reports-that-government-has-attempted-unduly-to-influence-the-independence-of-the-judiciary.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824192455/https://www.pmo.gov.to/privy-council-approves-establishment-of-royal-commission-of-inquiry-into-reports-that-government-has-attempted-unduly-to-influence-the-independence-of-the-judiciary.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 August 2010|title=Privy Council establishes Commission of Inquiry|publisher=Government of Tonga|access-date=12 August 2010|year=2010}}</ref> Tupou V also retained the power to [[commutation of sentence|commute prison sentences]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/29/tonga.king/|title=Tongan king to give up absolute rule|publisher=CNN|access-date=29 July 2008|date=29 July 2008}}</ref>

In 2008 he bestowed noble titles to family members. Most significantly, he restored the 'Prince' title of [[prince]] to his nephew, [[HSHSitiveni PrinceTuku'aho|Sitiveni TungiTukuʻaho]] (thereafter styled Prince Tungi), whomwho is the eldest son of Prince [[Fatafehi 'AlaivahamaAlaivahamama'o Tuku'aho|Fatafehi ʻAlaivahamamaʻo Tukuʻaho]].

==== Domestic reactions ====

A statement was due following a cabinet meeting the day after his death. [[Radio Australia]] reported that Tonga's largest religious organisation, the [[Free Wesleyan Church]], said it would hold a prayer service at the [[Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe|queen mother]]'s residence in [[Nukuʻalofa]].<ref name="afp" /> Prime Minister [[Lord Tu'ivakanoTuʻivakanō]] later made a national address calling on the people of Tonga to pray for the royal family and the country, according to ''[[Radio New Zealand]]''.

==== International reactions ====

*Queen [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] sent a message of condolence saying that King Tupou was "a true statesman who served his country with distinction".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2012/MessageofCondolenceTheKingofTonga.aspx |title=ArchivedMessage copyof condolence following the death of the King of Tonga, 19 March 2012 |access-date=20 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324233933/http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2012/MessageofCondolenceTheKingofTonga.aspx |archive-date=24 March 2012 }}</ref>

*King [[Harald V]] of Norway|King Harald V]] sent a message of condolence to King Tupou VI, in which he expressesexpressed sympathy for the new King, his family and the people of Tonga.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kongehuset.no/c27262/nyhet/vis.html?tid=99792 |title=ArchivedKongehuset.no – copyCondolences |access-date=21 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124081121/http://www.kongehuset.no/c27262/nyhet/vis.html?tid=99792 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*New Zealand Prime Minister [[John Key]] said: "He believed that the monarchy was an instrument of change and can truly be seen as the architect of evolving democracy in Tonga. This will be his enduring legacy."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Australia/Tonga-in-mourning-after-king-aged-63-dies/Article1-827495.aspx |title=ArchivedTonga in mourning after king aged 63 dies – Hindustan copyTimes |access-date=2012-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325110143/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Australia/Tonga-in-mourning-after-king-aged-63-dies/Article1-827495.aspx |archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref> Māori Kīngi [[Tūheitia Paki|Tūheitia]] extended his condolences to the Tongan royal family and people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2012/03/kiingi-tuheitia-extends-condolences-to-tonga/|title=Pacific.scoop.co.nz " Kiingi Tuheitia extends condolences to Tonga|website=pacific.scoop.co.nz|access-date=4 June 2017}}</ref>

*Australian Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] said that King Tupou's death was the loss of "a great friend" to Australia and pointed to the change he led Tonga through as the "first truly democratic elections, held in November 2010, set the country on a new course."{{cn|date=August 2024}} United States President [[Barack Obama]] said that King Tupou's death was the loss of "a friend" to the United States and the loss of "a visionary leader" to the people of Tonga.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/19/statement-president-passing-king-george-tupou-v-tonga|title=Statement by the President on the Passing of King George Tupou V of Tonga|last=Obama|first=Barack|date=19 March 2012|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref>

Following the official announcement of the passingking's of King George Tupou Vdeath and giving the Proclamationproclamation of the new King, Tupou VI, Histhe Majesty'sroyal Cabinetcabinet set up a Committeecommittee for the organization of the state funeral of the King. Lord Vaea becamewas appointed the chairman of the committee. TheGeorge KingTupou V's body arrived on 26 March 2012, then lay in state at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofaNukuʻalofa for a day.<ref name=nzherald23>{{cite news| url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10794276 | work=The New Zealand Herald | first=Yvonne | last=Tahana | title=Change of day for King's funeral upsets expat Tongans | date=24 March 2012}}</ref> The funeral, originally announced for 28 March 2012, was rescheduledmoved a day forward to 27 March 2012on request of the new King. The decision led to criticism from members of the Tongan diaspora unable to travel to Tonga in time for the funeral.<ref name=nzherald23 /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-22 |title=Expatriate Tongans angry King's funeral date has changed |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/101552/expatriate-tongans-angry-king's-funeral-date-has-changed |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref>

|royal name = King George Tupou V of Tonga

* {{flag|Tonga}}: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Royal Order of Pouono|Order of Pouono]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://36th-parallel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/The-Late-King-George-Tupou-V-Tonga-Govt-Image.jpg |title=Photo |website=36th-parallel.com |format=JPG}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constantinian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/b60.jpg |title=Photo |website=www.constantinian.org.uk |format=JPG}}</ref>

* {{flag|Tonga}}: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Crown of Tonga|Order of the Crown]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://matangitonga.to/2008/08/01/royal-orders-presented-palace |title=Royal orders presented at Palace |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121030307/https://matangitonga.to/2008/08/01/royal-orders-presented-palace |archive-date=21 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="sun-yachts.com">{{cite web |url=http://sun-yachts.com/pacyfik/ext_img/thumb/1251_u.jpg |title=Photo |website=sun-yachts.com |format=JPG |access-date=5 July 2015 |archive-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706131930/http://sun-yachts.com/pacyfik/ext_img/thumb/1251_u.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/LA-Portrait6.jpg |title=Photo |website=pacific.scoop.co.nz |format=JPG}}</ref>

* {{flag|Tonga}}: 1st Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the [[Royal Military Order of St George|Order of Saint George]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weltrekordreise.ch/bilder%20to/002-P1010547.jpg |title=Photo |website=www.weltrekordreise.ch |format=JPG}}</ref>

* {{flag|Tonga}}: 1st Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Phoenix (Tonga)|Order of the Phoenix]]{{cncitation needed|date=August 2020}}

* {{flag|Tonga}}: 1st Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Tonga|Order of the Royal House]]{{cncitation needed|date=August 2020}}

* {{flag|Tonga}}: 1st Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the [[KingOrders, Georgedecorations, Tupouand Vmedals Royal Familyof OrderTonga|Royal Family DecorationOrder of King George Tupou VOceania]]{{cncitation needed|date=AugustJune 20202022}}

* {{flag|Tonga}}: Sovereign Recipient of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Tonga|King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV Silver Jubilee Medal]]{{cncitation needed|date=August 2020}}

* {{flagicon|Georgia}} [[House of Mukhrani|Bagrationi-Mukhrani Georgian Royal Family]]: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Eagle of Georgia|Royal Order of the Eagle of Georgia]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalhouseofgeorgia.ge/order-eagle/order-distinguished-members |title=ArchivedRoyal copyHouse of Georgia &#124; Order Eagle of Georgia &#124; Order Distinguished Members |access-date=2015-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701024424/http://www.royalhouseofgeorgia.ge/order-eagle/order-distinguished-members |archive-date=1 July 2015}}</ref>

* {{flag|Hungary}}: Grand Cross of the [[Hungarian Order of Merit]] of(15 theSeptember Hungarian2011)<ref>{{cite Republic]]web |last=Origo |title=Rajong a magyarokért a Schmitt Pál által kitüntetett király |url=http://www.origo.hu/itthon/20110915-schmitt-pal-allami-kituntetest-adott-v-george-tupou-tongai-kiralynak.html |access-date=4 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-tongan-king-a-lifetime-in-politics/U44STAT3REDMVNYD73NUCTUUBU/ |title=New Tongan king: A lifetime in politics |publisherwork=The New Zealand Herald |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>

* {{flagicon|Two Sicilies}} [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Two Sicilian Royal Family]]: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of Francis I]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constantinian.org.uk/king-of-tonga-invested-into-the-order/|title=King of Tonga Invested into the Order -– Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George|date=28 February 2012|access-date=4 June 2017}}</ref>

* {{flagicon|Two Sicilies}} [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Two Sicilian Royal Family]]: Recipient of the Gold Benemerenti Medal<ref>[http{{Cite web|url=https://www.constantinian.org.uk/nine-world-leaders-honoured/|title=World Leaders honoured by Constantinian.org] Order at London Investiture Ceremony – Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George|date=29 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mic.gov.to/news-today/royalty/3986-queen-nanasipauu-honored-handover-ceremony-of-nukualofa-cbd-phase-1-reconstruction-project|title=King George Tupou V invested in Order of Francis I|last=Administrator|website=www.mic.gov.to|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024201913/http://www.mic.gov.to/news-today/royalty/3986-queen-nanasipauu-honored-handover-ceremony-of-nukualofa-cbd-phase-1-reconstruction-project|url-status=dead}}</ref>

|1= 1. '''George Tupou V'''{{cncitation needed|date=August 2020}}

{{s-ttl|title=3rd Chief Tupoutoʻa {{cncitation needed|date=August 2020}}|years=1966–2006}}

[[Category:TonganMonarchs monarchsof Tonga]]

[[Category:OfficiersOfficers of the LégionLegion d'honneurof Honour]]