George Tupou V: Difference between revisions

Following his father's death inon 10 September 2006, he was sworn in as King George Tupou V,{{efn|It might be argued{{by whom|date=August 2024}} that he became King on his swearing-in (11 September, midday), or on the death of his father the night before. However, although his father's death occurred in New Zealand, where the local time was 23:34 (10 September), Siaosi was in Tonga, where the time was 00:34 (11 September).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-09-11 |title=Passing away of His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV |url=http://www.pmo.gov.to/artman/publish/article_170.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514085818/http://www.pmo.gov.to/artman/publish/article_170.shtml |archive-date=2007-05-14 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Government of the Kingdom of Tonga}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-09-11 |title=Proclamation of Crown Prince Tupouto'a, the King of the Kingdom of Tonga |url=http://www.pmo.gov.to/artman/publish/article_172.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005235237/http://www.pmo.gov.to/artman/publish/article_172.shtml |archive-date=2006-10-05 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Government of the Kingdom of Tonga}}</ref> which also made him, from a traditional viewpoint, the 23rd [[Tuʻi Kanokupolu]] (the overlords of [[Tongatapu]]). He was recognised as a descendant of the sky god [[Tangaroa]].<ref>{{cite news |date=18 March 2012 |title=His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/royalty-obituaries/9151791/His-Majesty-King-George-Tupou-V-of-Tonga.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref>

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=Message of 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 sent a message of condolence to King Tupou VI, in which he expressed 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=Kongehuset.no – Condolences |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>