Tonga's Princess Regent HRH Princess Pilovelu Tuita will open the 2008 Session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly on Thursday, May 29, in the absence of HM King George Tupou V who is away in Hong Kong.

The Chief Clerk of the House, Tevita 'Ova, confirmed today that the Princess Regent will open the Tonga Legislative Assembly on Thursday, at the Parliament House.

He said the opening is shifting from the usual venue at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, but it is not the first time that an opening or closing of a Legislative Session has been held at Parliament House, he added.

Tongatapu High Schools will be march on Hala Taufa'ahau to mark the opening of the 2008 Legislative Session, which is expected to run from from May through to November, and the Princess Regent will view the marching from the Prime Minister's Office balcony because the Palace is still under renovation.

The king left Tonga for Hong Kong on Saturday, May 17 and will return on Tuesday, June 3.