Colourful school marching marks opening of Parliament [1]
Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 18:06. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Henwood
Hundreds of Tongatapu secondary and tertiary school students with lively brass bands marched through central Nuku'alofa this morning, June 13, to mark the opening of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga 2013 Session.
It was a beautiful sunny morning that brought out hundreds of people to watch the colourful marching display and dancing by school brass bands that echoed through the streets of the capital.
It was the second opening of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga by HM King Tupou VI since he ascended the Tongan throne on 18 March 2012. The king delivered his speech at Parliament House before departing in his motorcade to the Royal Palace, followed by the Tonga Defence Services Brass Band.
School students who lined the main street marched in front of Parliament House and to the Royal Palace.