Tonga’s King George Tupou V Dead In Hong Kong

The Pacific island nation of Tonga’s local media has reported that the 63-year-old monarch, King George Tupou the 5th, has passed away in a Hong Kong hospital Sunday evening.

King Tupou was widely known as an eccentric to the outside world. I mean, how man kings pass on the chauffeur driven limousine in favor of an ordinary London taxi? King Tupou the 5th, that’s who.

Following the death of King Taufa’ahau Tupou the 4th, King George Tupou the 5th was sworn in as king September of 2006.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka, the heir to the throne and apparent king with George Tupou’s passing, was at his brother’s side at his time of death.

The Polynesian nation of Tonga marked the end of centuries of monarchy in November of 2010 when the Pacific island nation held its first direct elections. The following month, in December, the newly elected parliament issued confirmation that Lord Tu’ivakano was indeed the first elected prime minister of the country. Prior to this event, the prime minister was a position appointed by the king.

King George Tupou V, whose full name is Siaosi T?ufa??hau Manumataongo Tuku?aho Tupou V was born May 4, 1948 and passed away March 18, 2012. George Tupou V, the late King of Tonga, was appointed Crown Prince on May 4, 1966 and reigned as King of Tonga from 2006 ’til 2012.

King Tupou V studied at King’s School, King’s College, The Leys School, Oxford University, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Tupou the 5th had a daughter who was born out of marriage and is for such reason ineligible to inherit the throne as dictated by the Constitution of Tonga. His daughter, ‘Ilima Lei Fifita Tohi is married to a police officer and has three children.

Recognized as a descendant of the sky god Tangeroa, George Tupou V was the 23rd overlord of Tongatapu, also known as the Tu’i Kanokupolu.

Three days prior to his coronation, the King announced his relinquishment of the bulk of his power in addition to stating that he would be guided by the recommendations put forth by his Prime Ministers in most matters concerning the governing of the Pacific island nation of Tonga.

via Voice of America