British High Commission in Nuku‘alofa celebrates His Majesty King Charles III’s Birthday and friendship with the Kingdom of Tonga
The British High Commission in Nuku‘alofa was truly honoured to host Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala and guests to celebrate King Charles III’s Official Birthday (KBP) on 20 June 2024 at Ancient Tonga. Draping the red, white and blue Union Jack in the beautiful Tongan fale of Ancient Tonga in Fangaloto, the event celebrated the friendship and close ties between the two Kingdoms.
His Majesty King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948 and ascended the throne as the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Realms of the Commonwealth on 6 May 2023. His Majesty the King’s Coronation was a once-in-a-generation event and the UK’s most significant cultural moment of 2023. The occasion of His Majesty The King’s Official Birthday was celebrated in the United Kingdom on Saturday 15 June, when The King’s Birthday Parade (also known as Trooping The Colour) was held in London on Horse Guards Parade.
In his remarks at Ancient Tonga, the British High Commissioner designate, His Excellency Philip Malone, spoke of the close and longstanding links between the two kingdoms, particularly between our respective Royal Families and in the Commonwealth. He conveyed deep appreciation for the attendance of His Majesty King Tupou VI and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u at His Majesty King Charles III Coronation last year. The High Commissioner highlighted the UK’s support to the government and people of Tonga through a number of bilateral, multilateral and partnership projects, in areas such as climate adaptation, renewable energy, economic development, protection of the environment and in the judicial, security, policing and defence sectors. His Excellency raised a toast to the health and success of His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Honourable Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga emphasised in his remarks that through the special ties between our Royal Families and within the Commonwealth family, Tonga remains a faithful friend and ally of the United Kingdom. Honourable Hu’akavameiliku welcomed the British High Commissioner designate HE Philip Malone to Tonga, extending sincere appreciation to His Excellency and the British High Commission in Tonga for maintaining and deepening the relations between the UK and Tonga, strengthening our bilateral and mutual interests. Honourable Hu’akavameiliku expressed the gratitude of the government of Tonga for the strong UK/Tonga partnership which encompasses the promotion of international peace, security and prosperity. He raised a toast and wished success to His Majesty King Charles III.
Our KBP 2024 guests were representative of the wide range of the UK’s valued relationships in Tonga, with whom we work together to deepen the bonds of friendship between our two countries.
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