Photos by Pesi Fonua and Peter Poulsen.

The traditional installation of the king took place today with a Taumafa Kava ceremony on Pangai Lahi next to the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa.

King George Tupou V is the fifth king in the Tupou dynasty and the 23rd Tu'i Kanokupolu - a traditional title also held by Tonga's monarchs.

The Taumafa Kava ceremony involves the elaborate preparation, presentation and drinking of kava.

The ceremony today was choreographed by Motu'apuaka, a matapule (talking chief) acting as orator for the king.

Seated in a kava circle the size of a soccer field were about 150 chiefs and matapules, who responded to the ceremonial call to share kava with the king. Between them they represent the entire population of Tonga through a network of family and customary affiliations.

When he arrived at the ceremony the king was led by the spear-weilding Tu'i Soso a chief from Fiji's traditonal Tovata Confederacy. According to a statement from the Royal Household it was Tu'i Soso's wish to drive away any evil spirits that might have enter the ceremonial areas. As a foreigner Tu'i Soso could walk in front of the king but a Tongan could not do this.

The king sat in an open-sided pavilion where he sat on layers of fine mats and tapa cloth.

He was wearing a mat that has been in the family for over a century. Called "Lalanga 'a 'Ulukilupetea" . It was usually worn by Queen Salote for the opening and closing of parliament. He also wore another mat named "Lauao 'o Kanokupolu".

The mixing of the kava by Princess Latufuipeka followed a ritual of stylised hand movements.

Tupou V became king when he drank the kava

Kava is made from the crushed and ground root of the piper methysticum plant and is a mild relaxant.