The death of the King of Tonga's second son, Hon. Ma'atu Fatafehi Alaivahamama'o Tuku'aho, has been confirmed by the Palace Office in Nuku'alofa, following his sudden death at Vaiola Hospital on the morning of February 17, 2004.

Hon Ma'atu (49) was born on 17 of December, 1954 at the Royal Palace, Nuku'alofa, the third child of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and Queen Mata'aho of Tonga.

Suka 'Otukolo, of the Palace Office, confirmed that Ma'atu's remains were being held at the Vaiola Hospital morgue.

The traditional night of mourning, the 'apo, will be held on February 24 at The Villa the home of his elder brother Crown Prince Tupouto'a. It is significant because it is to be held outside of the Royal Palace.

Ma'atu will be laid to rest at Mala'ekula, the Royal Tombs at Nuku'alofa after a traditional burial ceremony on February 25.

This is the first royal death to take place within the King of Tonga's own household and the second royal funeral since the late Tu'ipelehake's death in 1999.

Ma'atu held the hereditary title of Noble Ma'atu of Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu, bestowed on him by the King on 27 September 1979. He was currently serving his third year as a Member of Parliament, representing the Nobles of Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu to Tonga's Legislative Assembly.

In July 1980 Ma'atu was removed from the roll of succession to the Tongan throne in order to marry his first love, Heimata'ula Kaho, the daughter of singer Tu'imala Kaho and a Tahitian High Chief, Matagialalua Tavana Anderson. Sadly, Heimata'ula died in 1985 after an illness. After being removed from the roll Ma'atu was deprived of his title ...“Prince...” and thereafter styled "Honourable Ma'atu".

In 1989 Ma'atu married Alaileula Jungblut of Samoa, the daughter of Melvin Jungblut and Lola Tosi Malietoa-Savusa, daughter of Malietoa Susuga Tanumafili 11, the Head of State of Samoa.

Ma'atu attended Tupou College in Tonga and continued on to the Leys School, Cambridge and RNC Dartmouth. He was a Cmsnd Midshipman RN in 1975. In recent years Ma'atu was involved in various trading and business activities in Tonga.

Ma'atu was known for his independent political views that on a number of occasions differed from those held by government and other members of the Royal family. Last year Hon. Ma'atu and his first cousin, Prince Tu'iplelehake, distinguished themselves by voting against the controversial media legislation in parliament.

The Hon. Ma'atu is survived by his wife Hon. Alaileula Tuku'aho and their four children, one girl and three boys: Hon. Sitiveni 'Alaivahamama'o Polu Le'ulingana Tanusia Ma'a Tonga Tuku'aho (13), Hon. Salote Haimhadessah Tuku'aho (12); Hon Fatafehi Sione Ikamafana Tuita (10) who was adopted by Ma'atu's sister Princess Pilolevu Tuita; and Hon. 'Etani Ha'amea Tupoulahi Tuku'aho (9).