The late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV

King Tupou IV died Sept. 10 in a private hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, aged 88 -- having led his kingdom of 114,000 people spread across 170 islands for 41 years.

His body lay at his residence in the city, where 40,000 Tongans live.

A month of national mourning has been declared in the kingdom, where flags were lowered to half-staff and people from outer islands began traveling to the capital, Nuku'alofa, for ceremonies.

On Sept. 13 the king's body was flown to Tonga in a New Zealand air force plane, accompanied by his wife and other royals.

Prime Minister Feleti Sevele said the king would lie in state at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa until the funeral on Sept. 19.

"To honor the most beloved monarch of Tonga, one month state mourning begins today and ends on 17 October," Sevele said.

Crown Prince Tupouto'a proclaimed as King Tupou V.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 16, 2006
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