The late Princess ‘Elisiva Fusipala Tauki’onetuku Tuku’aho Vaha’i (65) was laid to rest on Sunday October 12 at Tutulupeatau Cemetery in Fo’ui, Tongatapu.

A first cousin of King Tupou VI, she passed away on October 2 in San Francisco, after a long illness.

The casket arrived at Fua’amotu International Airport on Saturday afternoon, October 11, and was taken to The Villa royal residence, where an all night vigil and worship was held.

On Sunday morning, October 12, following a church service at the LDS Chapel in Haveluloto, the cortege left for ‘Umutangata in Fo’ui where the casket was transferred to a catafalque, and carried on foot to the cemetery for the final burial rites. The king attended the burial.

Queen Salote's grandaughter

Born on 12 June 1949 at the Royal Palace, Princess Fusipala was the second of the six children of the late Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake and Princess Melenaite Tupoumoheofo. She was named by her grandmother the late Queen Salote Tupou III, after the Queen's only sister.

Princess Fusipala, who was married to the late Hahano 'i Mala'e Kula ‘a Ngu Vaha'i of Fo'ui, is survived by their four children Lord Vaha'i, Hon Siosifa 'Alematea Vaha'i, Hon 'Elisiva Tauki'onetuku Vaha'i Vete, Hon ‘Ofeina ‘ehe Langi Leanahola Vaha'i and six grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters, the eldest Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili and younger sisters Princess Lavinia Mata’otaone Ma’afu and Princess ‘Ofeina Fakafanua.

She had two brothers who have both passed away. The late Prince Tu’ipelehake (‘Uluvalu) died at the age of 55 in a 2006 car accident in the U.S. Her youngest brother the late Prince Tu'ipelehake (Mailefihi) died aged 56 in June this year, from complication of diabetes.

Princess Fusipala who had been living in the United States for about 12-years was receiving treatment at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame, CA.