King leaves Tonga without a Regent [1]
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - 13:24. Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 14:08.
TONGA will be without a king for ten days, starting today when HM King George Tupou V will leave for Los Angeles and will not return until March 10.
The Palace Office stated that under the new constitutional arrangement, which restructured the Tongan government, "there is no need for a Regent to be appointed."
The King will be accompanied by the Minister of Education, Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki on his visit to the USA, which will be for the purpose of exploring, "possible educational and development opportunities that could bring future benefits to the Kingdom of Tonga," according to the statement.
It is believed to be the first time that Tonga has been without a King or a Regent since Tupou I ascended to the throne in 1845, although this has not been confirmed by the Palace Office.
In the past, when the Tongan monarch has left the country a Regent has been appointed to fill his role; and most recently, the king's sister, Princess Pilolevu has acted as Regent.