Tonga Royal family

The King and Queen will be joined by their only daughter Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho.

Their Majesties, who are residing at the Heilala Tangitangi Royal Residence, left the capital for the outer island earlier last week.

Princess Latufuipeka is Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia based in Canberra.

This is the first time she has been home for the holidays, since the COVID-19 pandemic closed international borders.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala and their children are spending the holidays abroad.

This week the chair of the Tongan Advisory Council in New Zealand raised concerns at reports the Tongan king was approached to endorse the Maori Party.

Melino Maka said seeking royal endorsements was dangerous.

Mr Maka also cast doubt over whether the endorsement actually occurred.

But Maori Party President Tukoroirangi Morgan said the approach in March by the Maori King Tuheitia was an attempt to bring Maori and Pasifika together.

Mr Morgan says the two kings spoke at the funeral of the Tongan Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho in March.

Fiji Times reports the King of Tonga entered the church minutes before the Republic of the Fiji Military Force pallbearers made their way to the Vatanitawake to carry the late Roko Tui Bau Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi casket to the church for the thanksgiving service.

Also attending the funeral service is the President of Nauru Baron Waqa and other Pacific dignitaries.

Photo Facebook Koroi Tikoilomaloma: The Tongan delegation at the funeral of Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi