King will not attend historic closing of Tongan Legislative Assembly [1]
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 13:11. Updated on Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 20:00.
Tonga's King George Tupou V will not close the last session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly on its historic closing on Thursday, September 30, the last under the existing system before a new system of government is introduced.
The closure will be made without the king or the usual fanfare of school children marching through the streets of Nuku'alofa.
The Chief Clerk of the House Dr Viliami Uasike Latu told Matangi Tonga today, September 28, that three nobles, who have not been named would carry out a "soft closing ceremony" at the Parliament House.
He said by soft closing, there would be no marching by school children nor would there be guests apart from the members of the parliament and their spouses.
It would be the same soft low-key ceremony as that of the 2009 closing ceremony offiated by Lord Fielakepa accompanied by Noble Ma'afu and Noble Fulivai on April 22 this year, where less than a dozen spectators were present.
Earlier the Chief Clerk hoped that because this was the last session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly under the current system, HM King George Tupou V would close it, but that is not the case now.
No reason has been given for the King's decision not to attend the closing of parliament this week.