His Majesty's Armed Forces - Royal Corps of Musicians will take part in the largest ever Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo [2] to be held from 17-19 October, at the ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park in Australia.

The band’s performance will include a mix of Tongan cultural music, martial art movement, dancing, and humour.

Australia’s Department of Defence stated that 50 band members and support staff left Tonga on 12 October and were flown across to Australia in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). 

Tonga joins Australia, France, Indonesia, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, at the Tattoo event.

National Contingent Commander for the Royal Corp of Musicians, Lt Col Lord Ve'ehala said it was a fantastic opportunity for his band to be able to represent Tonga on the world stage in Australia.

“Our preparation has been going well,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the rehearsals where we will make some refinements before the tattoo proper – the members of the Corps are excited and looking forward to performing.”

He added they were also looking forward to seeing friends in the Australian Defence Force, Pacific islands and the other European nations.

The event will be set against an amazing backdrop of a full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle, with over 1,500 performers presenting a mix of Scottish favourites such as pipers, fiddlers and highland dancers, while also focussing on Australia and the South Pacific nations.

Australian Army officer, Major Rupert Hindle, who is working under the HMAF Defence Cooperation Program in Tonga, said he provided support and advice to Ltcol Ve’ehala as the team prepared for the Tattoo.

“The Royal Corps of Musicians is one of their key presentation pieces for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.”

“The Tattoo is going to be a great experience for the people of Tonga. To travel to Australia and work with other Pacific nations, as well as the bands from the other countries will be an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives,” he said.

The Australian Defence Force will provide a range of ceremonial and logistical support to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo including more than 250 cast members, air and ground transport and co-ordination for participating nations.

Around 180,000 people are estimated to attend the event with around 100 million people watching on television worldwide.

The event will be filmed by ABC Australia and broadcast in Tonga in early December.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was created in Scotland in 1950 to showcase military and civilian acts from around the world.