Queen Mother's funeral cortege arriving Tonga on Tuesday [1]
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - 18:57. Updated on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 09:43.
The funeral cortege for Tonga's Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho (90) will arrive in Tonga on Tuesday 28 February.
The Queen Mother died in Auckland at 10:15 pm on Sunday, 19 February.
In an announcement from the Tongan Royal Family this afternoon, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala said that the Queen Mother will rest at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa. During this time of Takipo, people will pay their respects at the Palace. The Queen Mother will be laid to rest at the Royal Tombs, Mala'ekula on Wednesday 1 March, 2017.
In a radio broadcast, the Crown Prince said that the family will observe 10 nights of mourning following the burial.
HM King Tupou VI returned to Tongatapu this afternoon from Niuatoputapu. He had been on a trip to the far north of Tonga since last week but returned following the death of his mother.