Photos by Pesi Fonua and Caroline Manu

The late Prince Tu'ipelehake was put to rest this morning at Mala'e 'Atuli ki Langi, at his estate in Pelehake, Tongatapu.

He was the 7th Tu'ipelehake from the Tu‘i Faleua, Tonga's second Royal House.

Following a church service at the FWC Fotu ‘a e ‘Eiki Church at the village of Pelehake, the casket was carried by a Tonga Police Guard of Honour to Mala'e 'Atuli ki Langi, where the Nima Tapu took over the burial ceremony.

This was the first time that the burial mound had been used for a number of years, and the overgrown forest formed a backdrop to traditional Tongan royal burial rituals. The royal undertakers, the Nima Tapu, led by Takapu, stretched out their hands in drizzling rain to receive the casket and put it into a tomb.

Gathered at the burial ground was HM King Tupou VI, Queen Nanasipau'u, and other members of the Tongan Royal Family.

National flags were flown at half mast in Tonga today in respect of the funeral.

Prince Tu'ipelehake (56) died on June 14 from complications of diabetes.

A first cousin of the king, he was a former member of Cabinet, as the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries in 2009. 

Prior to his ministerial appointment, he held  key Government positions in the Tonga Defence Services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He served as Director for the Marine Department (Marine and Ports) for nearly a decade; and from 1999 – 2002, was the Chairman of the Ports Authority Tonga Ltd.

Prince Tu’ipelehake was  elected into the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in 2008,  as the Nobles’ Representative number 2 for the Ha‘apai Group.