The Queen Mother, her matapule Kau'atoa, and eldest grandchild, receive mourners at the Tufumahina Royal Residence

Photos by Linny Folau

Mourners from all walks of life in Tonga have paid their respects and expressed personal condolences to the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho on the passing of the late king, HM George Tupou V.

Tupou College students and the Parents' Teachers Association visited the Queen Mother at her residence Tufumahina, on March 23. Led by Principal Rev Dr Fisi'ihoi Mone, Deputy Principal Longinusi Tu'ipulotu, and Head Tutor Rev Likio Atiola, they made a presentation of traditional fine mats, before holding a prayer service.

Earlier in the day, the Tonga Chamber of Commerce members visited the Queen Mother and personally expressed their condolences. Pesi 'Ilangana, the Chamber Administration Officer said that 25 of their members led by President Aloma Johansson presented fine mats and a $5,000 cheque to the Queen Mother, with other donations made by membersr, she said. The late king was the Patron of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce.

Since the king's death on March 18 in Hong Kong, various church denominations in Tongatapu have held regular prayer services at the Tufumahina Royal Residence.

The Queen Mother receives a delegation from the Tonga Chamber of Commerce. Photo courtesy TCCI.

Public Holiday

The Tongan Cabinet has made Monday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 27, public holidays for the state funeral. Paula Ma'u the Secretary for Information and Communications said cabinet announced the two new public holidays after a meeting this morning.

Extra flights

The funeral procession arrives at Fua'amotu International Airport on a special flight from Hong kong at 12:30pm on Monday.

Air New Zealand has added a second flight from Auckland to accommodate guests attending the State Funeral. A spokesperson from the Air New Zealand office in Nuku'alofa, said in addition to their normal flight on Monday morning that arrives at 10:10am, a second flight has been added arriving in Tonga at 10:50am. She said there were still seats available to Tonga on both of these two flights.

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