Tonga coronation: celebrations in Polynesia's constitutional monarchy

By Peter Munro
Updated July 4 2015 - 7:08am, first published 6:42am
Primary school children prepare to dance and sing before King Tupou and the nobles.  Photo: Edwina Pickles
Primary school children prepare to dance and sing before King Tupou and the nobles. Photo: Edwina Pickles
Traditional dancing in front of King Tupou, part of the entertainment at the royal luncheon.  Photo: Edwina Pickles
Traditional dancing in front of King Tupou, part of the entertainment at the royal luncheon. Photo: Edwina Pickles
His Majesty King Tupou V1 arriving for tradional entertainment by school children. Photo: Edwina Pickles
His Majesty King Tupou V1 arriving for tradional entertainment by school children. Photo: Edwina Pickles
Retired Uniting Church minister D'Arcy Wood will perform the coronation ceremony.  Photo: Edwina Pickles
Retired Uniting Church minister D'Arcy Wood will perform the coronation ceremony. Photo: Edwina Pickles
His Majesty King Tupou V1 and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u seated at the luncheon. Photo: Edwina Pickles
His Majesty King Tupou V1 and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u seated at the luncheon. Photo: Edwina Pickles
Traditional dancing before King Tupou. Photo: Edwina Pickles
Traditional dancing before King Tupou. Photo: Edwina Pickles

The king is everywhere. On street posters and water bottles and archways lit up like Christmas trees across Tonga. Bright balloons, flags and bunting line homes from the airport to the capital of Nuku'alofa. King Tupou VI's face – looking a little bored and bemused by the fuss – is on every crisp banknote.

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