King Tupou VI, Queen Nanasipau'u and members of the Royal Family attended the traditional funeral with military honours for the Rt. Hon. Col., Lord Ma‘afu Tukui'aulahi this morning, at the Huelo ‘o Hangai Tomb, Tokomololo in Tongatapu.

The funeral procession was led by the Royal Corps of Musicians with HMAF platoons. Joining the procession were HRH Prince Ata, Tongan nobles, the former Prime Minister, the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet and the family of the late nobleman. People wearing black and funeral mats sat by the roadside at Tokomololo to pay their respects as the funeral cortége passed by.

At the tombs, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u sat with members of the royal family, including HRH Princess Pilolevu.

Hundreds of people attended the burial ceremony at the tombs, where marquees were erected for the outdoor service. It was a public holiday today for the New Year and the funeral was the focus of activity on Tongatapu.

The service was led by Pastor Fanueli Mataele of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The traditional interment rites were led by the Ha'a Tufunga.

King Tupou VI laid a wreath at the tomb.

Heads of diplomatic missions, and defence attachés also paid their respects with the laying of wreaths.

The weather remained fine during the service this morning before the weather deteriorated this afternoon.

Lord Ma’afu passed away on 12 December at the Auckland City Hospital after a long illness. His funeral was delayed when flights to Tonga were cancelled because of a local volcanic eruption.

Photos by Pesi Fonua, Eleanor Gee and Peter Poulsen.