Thousands of people are presenting funeral gifts and paying their final tributes to the late King Taufa‘’ahau Tupou IV at the Royal Palace, Nuku'’alofa, although they cannot view him while he is lying in state in the throne room.

These funeral presentations will continue all day and into the night ending before the burial of Tupou IV tomorrow at the Royal Tombs, Mala'’ekula. The visitors make their presentations outside the palace in tents, where they are received by members of the Royal Family. During the night around the perimeter of the palace people are lighting burning torches or takipo.

Hon Tu'ivanuavou Vaea, the Master of the Royal Household, said today that these presentations to Tupou IV and to HM Queen Halaevalu Mata...’aho are not restricted to just the Ha...’a or clans, but are open for anyone in Tonga who wants to pay their final homage.

Tu‘’ivanuavou also said that while the late monarch lies in state at the Royal Palace he is being looked after by the Nima Tapu, (royal undertakers) a group of men who in the Tongan tradition have the sacred responsibility of serving the king alone.

He said that since the king first lay in state on September 13 the Nima Tapu had been taking turns every one to two hours in the throne room making sure that everything is in order, and they will sit by his side at all times until the burial tomorrow.

The preparation of the food for the people who have been conducting nightly vigils at the Royal Palace was carried out firstly by HRH Prince ...‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, followed by HRH Princess Salote Mafile‘’o Pilolevu Tuita, and will be concluded by HM King George Tupou V, he said.

After the burial the traditional rituals of the preparation of food and massive ‘umu by various villages in Tonga will continue and will be presented to the Royal households, the nobles and to the Nima Tapu.

Tu‘’ivanuavou said that after ten days, the Pongipongi Tapu or the "Sacred Morning" of the funeral would be held with a traditional Royal Kava Circle or Taumafa Kava in the morning of the 10th day to be presided over by HM King George Tupou V.