King George Tupou V celebrates birthday blessed by rain

King George Tupou V celebrates birthday blessed by rain [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Thursday, August 2, 2007 - 17:11. Updated on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - 16:14.

HM King George Tupou V arrives for his birthday reception at the Janfull Int'l Dateline Hotel.

HM King George Tupou V and Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele.

If it rains during a celebration, Tongans refer to it as a blessing from heaven, so when it poured down with rain all day yesterday during the birthday celebration of the new King, HM George Tupou V, it was said that Nuku'alofa was overflowing with blessings.

The birthday celebration started on Tuesday evening July 31 with a reception hosted by the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel.

Yesterday the main event was an unusual Military Parade at Pangai Lahi - the difference this time that HM King George Tupou V decided to get wet by going out in the rain together with the soldiers and the police on parade.

HM King George Tupou V at Consular House.

The birthday celebration was concluded with a birthday reception at the Consular House at noon, for visiting diplomats, dignitaries and invited guests.

August 1, 2007 was initially set as the day for the new king's coronation, which was later postponed for a year, following the destruction in Nuku'alofa on November 16.

King George Tupou V ascended to the Tongan throne on September 11, 2006, following the death of his father King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Siale Puloka, a guest, Hon. Fineasi Funaki, Will 'Ilolahia, a friend, and Sateki 'Ahio.

Mrs Senituli, Lopeti Senituli, a guest, Louise Waterhouse, Bill Waterhouse, Mrs 'Ahio, Sateki 'Ahio.

Cutting the birthday cake at Consular House.

Tevita Puloka, Sefo Ramanlal, Sateki 'Ahio, Lupeti Vi, Filo 'Akau'ola, and Siale Puloka.

Des Carter, Hon. Paul Karalus, Ross Chapman, Hon. Tu'a Taumoepeau-Tupou, Brig. Tau'aika 'Uta'atu, Lupeti Vi.

Guests at Consular House.

Richard Prema, Mrs Prema, 'Olive Ramanlal, Fijian official, and Sefo Ramanlal.

Gloria Skelton and a friend.

Carl Sanft, Lopeti Senituli and John Mahler.

Australian military attache and Des Carter.

Mark Hojelsen, Sione Taumoepeau, Tahna Taumoepeau, Sione Moala, and friends.

Photo News [2]