Editor,

I wanted to share with you my first meeting with the late King of Tonga. I do not think many Tongans themselves know about it and I thought I ought to share it with you.

In 1995, the late King visited Papua New Guinea. In Port Moresby he stayed at the Official Residence adjacent the Independence Hill and the National Parliament Building overlooking the Waigani Golf Course and the Waigani plains.

I was among the Tongan families residing in Port Moresby that gathered at the Official Residence late one evening to say prayers fai lotu. The King had by then already retired to rest. I believe he was not feeling very well either. I think it was the Queen who informed him on the Tongan community's presence.

I was so humbled to see the King come out to meet the Tongan community in his pajamas and slippers. He actually met and shook the hands of everyone that was present there, all the children and adults, some 50 people altogether. After meeting everyone, he retired again. I have a picture taken of myself shaking hands with him at this meeting.

I don'’t know of a King in this whole world who would bring himself out of bed to meet his people. Can you imagine a King of a country doing this? I will forever remember this occasion because it showed what humility and simplicity meant. And he had time for his people.