King's 62nd Birthday celebration July 30- August 2 [1]
Friday, July 16, 2010 - 19:52. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
HM King George Tupou V's 62nd Birthday on August 1 will be commemorated in Nuku'alofa with 4 days of events.
The celebration begins on the evening of Friday, July 30 with a birthday reception to be hosted by the Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele.
On July 31 at a Birthday Investiture Ceremony, honours decorations and medals will be awarded at the Royal Palace, followed by a Classical Music Concert at Polata'ane, in the evening.
On Sunday, August 1 a Birthday Prayer Service will be held at the Centenary Church.
On Monday, August 2 a Birthday Military Parade at Pangai Lahi will be followed by a luncheon at the Royal Palace grounds. A Classical Music Concert concludes the birthday celebrations in the evening.
The king who was born on May 4 decreed that his official birthday be changed to August 1 the date of his Coronation in 2008. And because August 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the public holiday will be observed on August 2 with the celebrations.
The official program has not been released at this stage.