Tupou College students

Hundreds of secondary school students marched through central Nuku'alofa yesterday morning to mark the opening of the Tongan Legislative Assembly's 2012-13 session.

It was a beautiful sunny morning but the event was toned down because the Royal Family is mourning the death of the late King George Tupou V until the end of June. There were no school brass bands, but a popular Tonga freedom song, "Tau'ataina" echoed through the streets of Nuku'alofa, for the first time in a number of years. 

The Tonga Defence Services brass band played the national anthem, and accompanied the king's motorcade on his way back to the Palace.

It was the first opening of parliament by HM King Tupou VI since ascending the Tongan throne, on March 18. There were a few variations to the usual procedure.  The king did not sit on the throne as he delivered his speech, but stood up while members of parliament, foreign diplomats and guests sat on their chairs.