King's 88th birthday program [1]
Friday, June 30, 2006 - 18:00. Updated on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 20:18.
Preparations are well underway for the return to Tonga of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV on Saturday July 1 to celebrate his 88th birthday on July 4.
The traditional archways with birthday wishes for the king, which decorate the streets of central Nuku'alofa at this time of the year, have started appearing despite the wet weather that has been lingering around Tongatapu since the beginning of this week.
The Prime Minister's Office on June 29 released the official program for the King's 88th Birthday Celebration which runs from July 2-4.
The king will make his first public appearance at a Church Service at the Centenary Church on Sunday July 2 at 10:00am.
On July 3 there will be a Prayer Breakfast at Queen Salote College, hosted by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Following the Prayer Breakfast, the Education Day program, organised by the Ministry of Education, will start with school children marching from Teufaiva Stadium through Taufa'ahau Rd to the Royal Palace and returning to Teufaiva through Vaha'akolo Rd. Following the march there will be traditional presentations and cultural entertainment at the Palace, and the Education Day program will round off with School Sports at Teufaiva Stadium, starting at 1.30pm.
In the evening HRH Crown Prince Tupouto‘a will hold a reception at his villa for the visiting overseas diplomats and dignitaries, including Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Head of State of Samoa, and Governor Togiloa Tulafono and First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono of American Samoa.
On July 4 celebrations will start with a Military Parade at Pangai Lahi hosted by the Tonga Defence Service. The Tonga Police Force, a French Troops and a United States Navy contingent will also be joining the military parade celebrations.
A Royal Luncheon will be held afterwards at the Royal Palace hosted by the Palace Office.
The birthday celebration will be concluded with a reception to be hosted by the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in the evening.