Traditional presentations for Royal funeral [1]
Monday, February 27, 2017 - 18:42. Updated on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - 10:45.
Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Poulsen.
Traditional presentations were made to the Royal Family today, from people honouring the late Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho, ahead of the expected arrival of the funeral cortege tomorrow, Tuesday.
This morning presentations were made by the Free Wesleyan Church and Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the tributes included Tongan koloa, garlands, livestock- including cows and pigs, as well as traditonal root crops.
Three of the Queen Mother’s grandchildren Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Hon. Sione Ikamafana Tuita and Hon ‘Etani Tuku’aho took turns in receiving the presentations made at the Pangai Lahi grounds next tot he Royal palace in Nuku'alofa.
The presentations, which began in the weekend, have been made by family clans, churches, businesses, and others.
The Queen Mother will be laid to rest at Mala’ekula, Royal Tombs on Wednesday, March 1. She died in Auckland at the age of 90 on Sunday, February 19.