A day of Royal Birthday Celebrations on November 17 included a Black-tie dinner for about 1,200 guests at Liukava, the residence of the Prime Minister, HRH Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata and Princess Nanasipau'u, at Kolovai.

The Royal Family gathered to celebrate the 21st birthday and academic achievement of Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata'aho Napua O-ka-lani Tuku'aho.

Princess Latufuipeka earned a Bachelor of Business Management degree with distinction from the International University in Geneva, Switzerland on April 24 this year.

The celebration brought in friends and relatives from throughout Tonga and from overseas. The weather and the setting at Liukava was perfect for the occasion. When the choir ended the evening service just before sunset, darkness was settling in, the stars, and a quarter moon filled a clear sky. The second part of the evening program was the dinner served under tents, and a presentation of traditional dances along with spontaneous dancing, singing, clapping, and speeches.

On November 18, Dr Elizabeth Wood-Ellem and Dr Adrienne L. Kaeppler presented Princess Latufuipeka with a leather-bound copy of the new book, Songs and Poems of Queen Salote at a special event at the Dateline Hotel to commemorate the Life and Achievements HM Queen Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu 1900-65.

Princess Latufuipeka at the Queen Salote commemoration.