Friday, August 01, 2008

Tonga's King Tupou V Crowned

After a traditional anointing and installment ceremony, Tonga's King Tupou V was crowned in a British-style royal church service in Nuku'alofa on August 1, 2008.

The lavish ceremonies in the tiny, poor South Pacific nation have drawn mixed reaction as shown in this Al-Jazeera news video.



The king's coronation had to be delayed by a year after deadly riots ripped the nation following the last king's death.

King Tupou V has already agreed to give up many of his royal powers, and there are some observers who believe he is placing the nation on the path to democracy and may be the last Tongan king.

Many foreign guests including royals from Japan, Britain and Thailand, and South Pacific chiefs and heads of state were present for the ceremony.