Royal Couple visits Tonga this month [1]
Monday, October 8, 2018 - 17:30
Britain's Kensington Palace has announced details of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to Tonga on October 25-26, during a tour that includes Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.
The Royal Couple will arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport from Nadi on a chartered flight, where they will be greeted by Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho, Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia.
The Duke and Duchess, in the evening will visit Consular House for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu, followed by an official reception and dinner, and traditional Tongan entertainment.
On the morning of October 26, they will visit St George Building to call on the Prime Minister Hon 'Akilisi Pohiva and Cabinet members.
They will also attend an exhibition with Princess Angelika Latufuipeka at the Fa'onelua Centre, celebrating Tongan handicrafts and products, including traditional mats and 'tapa' cloth. Their Royal Highnesses will also have the opportunity to meet local Tongan traders and craftsmen.
The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Tupou College, the oldest secondary school in the Pacific, founded by a British missionary in 1866. There they will dedicate two forest reserves at the school's on-site forest, the Toloa Forest Reserve, the last remaining forest area in Tongatapu, and 'Eua National Park Forest Reserve, in 'Eua, to ‘The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy’.
Tupou College boys will perform traditional Tongan music to commemorate the event.
Kensington Palace stated that there is a long history of friendship between The Royal Family and Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, and their links with the UK are extensive.
“The Duke and Duchess are very much looking forward to experiencing the unique cultures and customs of these four Commonwealth countries, and have asked that this tour allow them opportunities to meet as many Australians, Fijians, Tongans and New Zealanders as possible.”
"Together they look forward to building an enduring relationship with the people of the region."