Tupou VI explained

Tupou VI
Succession:King of Tonga
Reign:18 March 2012 – present
Coronation:4 July 2015[1]
Predecessor:George Tupou V
Suc-Type:Heir apparent
Successor:Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala
Succession1:13th Prime Minister of Tonga
Reg-Type1:Monarch
Regent1:Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
Reign1:3 January 2000 – 11 February 2006
Reign-Type1:Term
Predecessor1:Baron Vaea
Successor1:Feleti Sevele
Issue:Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho
Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala
Prince Ata
Full Name:ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho
House:Tupou dynasty
Father:Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
Mother:Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe
Birth Date:12 July 1959
Birth Place:Royal Palace, Nukuʻalofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Religion:Free Wesleyan Church
Module:
Embed:yes
Alma Mater:University of East Anglia
University of New South Wales
Bond University
Signature:His Majesty King Tupou VI (signature).svg

Tupou VI (ʻAho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho; born 12 July 1959) is King of Tonga. He is the younger brother and successor of the late King George Tupou V.

The youngest child of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, he served as Prime Minister of Tonga from 2000 to 2006. Following his elder brother's accession to the Throne of Tonga, he was officially confirmed as the heir presumptive on 27 September 2006, as his brother had no legitimate children. In 2008, he was appointed Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia, and resided in Canberra until the death of King George Tupou V on 18 March 2012, when he became King of Tonga, with the regnal name Tupou VI. He also served as the Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific from 2013 to 2014. He was crowned in 2015 by the Reverend D'Arcy Wood.

Early life and education

ʻAhoʻeitu was born in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, as the third son and youngest child of Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa Tungī (later King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV).[2] He attended The Leys School in Cambridge from 1973 to 1977,[3] followed by enrollment at the University of East Anglia, where he studied Development Studies between 1977 and 1980.[4]

Military career

He joined the naval arm of the Tonga Defence Services in 1982, achieving the rank of Lieutenant-Commander by 1987. He graduated from the US Naval War College as part of Class 33 in 1988.[5]

His military service included commanding the Pacific-class patrol boat VOEA Pangai from 1990 to 1995, during which he participated in peacekeeping operations in Bougainville. Then, he obtained a master's degree in defence studies from the University of New South Wales in 1997 and another master's degree in international relations from Bond University in 1999.

Governmental career

In 1998, ʻAhoʻeitu transitioned from his military career to government service, assuming dual roles as defence minister and foreign minister until August 2004. These roles were previously held by his elder brother Tupoutoʻa, who was then the crown prince and later became King Siaosi Tupou V. He was appointed as Prime Minister on 3 January 2000, a role he held until his unexpected resignation on 11 February 2006. While the specific reasons for his resignation remain unclear, it is speculated to be connected to pro-democracy protests that had been ongoing since mid-2005, advocating for a reduced role of the royal family in government, eventually leading to the 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots.[6]

Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific

King Tupou VI served as the 20th Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific from July 2013 to June 2014.[7] He was installed as Chancellor during the USP Tonga Graduation ceremony in July 2013.[8]

Prime Minister of Tonga

He assumed the role of prime minister on 3 January 2000, and held this position until his resignation on 11 February 2006.[9] His departure coincided with a period of heightened civic unrest, as pro-democracy protests gained traction from mid-2005 onward.

In 2004, several Members of Parliament advocated for his resignation as Prime Minister following their decision to boycott the inauguration of the Tonga Legislative Assembly.[10] Among the MPs was Fred Sevele, who cited the closure of Royal Tongan Airlines as one of several adverse events associated with the Prime Minister's tenure. Sevele questioned the Prime Minister's ability to govern Tonga, asserting that an inability to manage an airline raised doubts about his capacity to govern the country effectively.[11]

In 2006, the Nukuʻalofa riots underscored a growing dissatisfaction with the existing political structure, calls for increased political representation and a more equal distribution of power.

Diplomatic career

He took on the position of the chief of mission for Tonga's High Commission in Canberra when it was inaugurated in 2008,[12] a position he held until his succession to the Tongan throne in 2012. This move represented a notable development in Tonga's diplomatic relations with Australia, highlighting the establishment of a formal diplomatic presence.[13]

Concurrently, he served as a non-resident Ambassador to Japan from 15 January 2010 until his succession in 2012.[14] [15]

Marriage and family

ʻAhoʻeitu is married to Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho, daughter of Baron Vaea.[16] They have three children and four grandchildren.[17] [18] [19] [20] Their eldest child, Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho (Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mataʻaho Napua-o-kalani Tukuʻaho), born on 17 November 1983, has been the High Commissioner to Australia since 22 August 2012.[21]

Their second child, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala (Siaosi Manumataongo ʻAlaivahamamaʻo ʻAhoʻeitu Konstantin Tukuʻaho), born on 17 September 1985, married his second cousin, Sinaitakala Fakafanua, on 12 July 2012.[22] They have four children: Prince Taufaʻahau Manumataongo (born 10 May 2013), Princess Halaevalu Mataʻaho (born 12 July 2015), Princess Nanasipauʻu (born 20 March 2018), and Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu (born 25 February 2021).

Their third child is Prince Ata (Viliami ʻUnuaki-ʻo-Tonga Mumui Lalaka-Mo-e-ʻEiki Tukuʻaho), born on 27 April 1988.

Upon his confirmation as heir presumptive, he acquired the traditional title of Tupoutoʻa, reserved for crown princes, a position his older brother relinquished due to marrying a commoner, and was subsequently known as Tupoutoʻa Lavaka before ascending the throne. His elder son, Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, inherited his title of ʻUlukālala of Fangatongo, while his second son, Prince Ata, was bestowed with the title ʻAta of Hihifo.[23]

Coronation

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u were crowned in a ceremony conducted at Centenary Church in Nukuʻalofa on 4 July 2015 by the Reverend D'Arcy Wood, a retired Uniting Church in Australia minister who was born in Tonga. He was assisted by the Reverend 'Ahio and the Reverend Tevita Havea, the president and the secretary general of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.[24] About 15,000 guests attended the celebration.[25]

During the ceremony, Tupou VI was anointed with holy oil, adorned with a ring, and presented with a sceptre. The crown was then placed on his head by Wood, who performed the anointing and crowning as a matter of circumventing the taboo on native Tongans touching the King's head. The celebrations ran for a total of eleven days, beginning a week before the ceremony.[26]

Reign

On 25 August 2017, Tupou VI dismissed Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, dissolved the Legislative Assembly, and ordered early elections to be held by mid-November. Following the king's dissolution of the government, the speaker, Lord Tuʻivakanō, issued a statement explaining his advice to the King that led him to dismiss the Prime Minister. Lord Tuʻivakanō stated that Pōhiva had made unconstitutional moves, including signing international agreements without the King's consent.[27] On 15 January 2022, he was temporarily relocated from the Royal Palace following the eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai and the ensuing tsunami.[28]

Loss of confidence in ministers

On 2 February 2024, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni was absent from Tonga, receiving medical treatment in New Zealand. During this time, King Tupou VI purportedly revoked the appointment of Siaosi Sovaleni as the armed forces minister and Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu as the minister of foreign affairs and tourism,[29] [30] with the nine noble MPs urging them to resign from their ministerial positions.[31] The Attorney-General of Tonga, Linda Folaumoetu'i, advised the Cabinet that the King's action was unconstitutional.[32] [33]

In response to the revocation of their appointments, Siaosi Sovaleni and Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu publicly announced their resignation from their respective ministerial positions in April 2024.[34]

See also

External links

|-|-|-|-

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tonga National Public Holidays for 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150111213621/http://www.tonga-broadcasting.net/uploads/2/8/1/9/2819652/media_release_2014_dec_5___tonga_national_public_holidays_for_2015.pdf. dead. 11 January 2015.
  2. Web site: 27 September 2006 . Tupouto'a Lavaka, Tonga's new Crown Prince . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061103043418/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/royalty/tupoutoa_lavaka270906.shtml . 3 November 2006 . Matangi Tonga.
  3. Web site: King of Tonga, an Old Leysian, hosts royal tour . 8 August 2021 . The Leys School.
  4. News: 25 September 2014 . One in seven countries has leader who studied in UK . BBC News . 26 September 2014.
  5. Web site: The Monarch . 14 December 2022 . Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga.
  6. News: 2006-02-13 . Tonga gets first elected leader . en-GB . 2023-11-20.
  7. Web site: Chancellor . 2024-07-13 . USP Governance - Council and Senate Secretariat (CSS) . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2013-07-26 . King Tupou VI 20th Chancellor of University of the South Pacific . 2024-06-01 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  9. Web site: 2006-02-15 . Tonga's Prime Minister resigns . 2024-06-01 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  10. Web site: 2004-05-26 . MPs call for resignation of Tongan Prime Minister . 2024-01-26 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  11. Web site: 2004-05-28 . Call on Tongan prime minister to step down . 2024-06-01 . RNZ . en-nz.
  12. Web site: 16 August 2008 . HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka: Tonga's First High Commissioner to Australia . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111130050612/http://pmo.gov.to/international-relations/credentials-presentations/2821-hrh-the-crown-prince-tupoutua-lavaka-tongas-first-high-commissioner-to-australia . 30 November 2011 . 20 March 2012 . Tonga Government Portal.
  13. Web site: 2011-11-30 . HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka: Tonga's First High Commissioner to Australia . 2023-11-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111130050612/http://pmo.gov.to/international-relations/credentials-presentations/2821-hrh-the-crown-prince-tupoutua-lavaka-tongas-first-high-commissioner-to-australia . 30 November 2011 .
  14. Web site: 2010-01-26 . Tonga's Crown Prince New Ambassador to Japan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211111180017/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2010/01/26/tonga%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s-crown-prince-new-ambassador-japan . 2021-11-11 . 2021-12-11 . Pacific Islands Report.
  15. Web site: Portugal . Consulate . 2021-06-22 . Constitutional Monarchy - Consulate General of the Kingdom of Tonga in Portugal . 2024-07-13 . en-US.
  16. Web site: Royal Family Members . 21 February 2023 . Tongan Royal Palace.
  17. Web site: 2013-05-09 . New Tongan heir, Prince Taufa'ahau Manumataongo born May 10 in Auckland . 2023-09-24 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  18. Web site: 2014-07-14 . Tonga's new Princess Halaevalu Mata'aho . 2023-09-24 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  19. Web site: 2018-03-20 . New Princess born – HRH Princess Nanasipau'u . 2023-09-24 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  20. Web site: 2021-02-26 . Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu – Tonga's new baby Princess . 2023-09-24 . Matangi Tonga . en.
  21. Web site: 2012-08-26 . Princess Latufuipeka appointed Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20120826203518/http://www.pmo.gov.to/news-today/royalty/3992-princess-latufuipeka-appointed-tongas-high-commissioner-to-australia . 26 August 2012 . 2023-09-24 . Tonga Government Portal.
  22. Web site: Pearlman . Jonathan . 12 July 2012 . Tongan crown prince marries second cousin . 14 December 2022 . The Telegraph.
  23. Web site: 2006-11-03 . Tupouto'a Lavaka, Tonga's new Crown Prince . https://web.archive.org/web/20061103043418/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/royalty/tupoutoa_lavaka270906.shtml . 3 November 2006 . 2023-11-30 . Matangi Tonga.
  24. News: HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u crowned at Centenary Church . . Pesi . Fonua . Linny . Folau . . 4 July 2015 . 4 July 2015.
  25. Web site: Tonga crowns King Tupou VI in lavish public coronation, parties . ABC News . 4 July 2015 . 21 February 2023.
  26. News: Tonga crowns King Tupou VI in lavish public coronation, parties . Liam . Fox . Nukuʻalofa . ABC News . 4 July 2015 . 4 July 2015.
  27. Web site: Wyeth . Grant . King of Tonga Dismisses Prime Minister Pohiva's Government . 2023-11-20 . thediplomat.com . en-US.
  28. Web site: Volcano triggers Tonga tsunami, alerts issued from Japan to US . 2022-01-15 . uk.style.yahoo.com . en-GB.
  29. Web site: Tonga's King Tupou VI loses confidence in PM Hu'akavameiliku . RNZ . 6 February 2024 . 6 February 2024.
  30. Web site: King has no confidence in two ministers . Matangi Tonga . 5 February 2024 . 6 February 2024.
  31. Web site: 2024-03-02 . Nobles demand Tonga PM to respect King's decision - 'I love my King', Hu'akavameiliku says . 2024-06-01 . RNZ . en-nz.
  32. Web site: Cabinet refutes King's orders, claiming it goes against Constitution . Matangi Tonga . 6 February 2024 . 6 February 2024.
  33. Web site: Tonga Prime Minister has final call on ministers, not the King - former attorney-general . RNZ . 6 February 2024 . 6 February 2024.
  34. Web site: Tonga ministers quit amid standoff with powerful monarch . 2024-05-17 . Al Jazeera . en.