Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Poulsen

The Royal Cortege of the late king, HM George Tupou V, arrived at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa at 3:30pm this afternoon, March 26, 2012, where he will Lie in State on a night of royal vigil.

The casket was conveyed to the throne room inside the Royal Palace by the Tonga Defence Bearer Party, while Queen Salote College students sat with their heads bowed down inside the Palace grounds.

HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho followed the royal cortege to the Royal Palace.

HM King Tupou VI

Vigil

The "takipo", royal vigil has begun at the Royal Palace grounds where ongoing prayer services are being carried out throughout the night until 6am tomorrow, Wednesday March 27.

Keeping vigil at the Royal Palace, Princess Taone, Lord Tu'ipelehake and nobles.

The first prayer service was held this afternoon by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga led by President Rev Dr 'Ahio, after the royal casket was conveyed to the throne room. Other churches will follow and carry out prayer services at different times tonight. At the same time students are expected to keep lighted torches burning outside the Palace as the late king's body lies in state.

The final respects paid to the late king may begin after the royal vigil and before the royal casket is conveyed on a catafalque by 150 men along Hala Tu'i to the Royal Tombs, Mala'e Kula.

The funeral procession is expected to leave the Royal Palace at noon for the burial ceremony.