State funeral for King Tupou to be held next Wednesday

The body of the late king George Tupou fifth will arrive in Tonga next Monday, March 26th and his state funeral and burial will be held at the Royal Tombs, Mala’e Kula, Nuku’alofa on Wednesday March 28th.

Matangi Tonga reports, the late king will lie in state at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa for two days, before his burial on Wednesday.

The body of King George Tupou V will be brought to Tonga on board a special commercial aircraft chartered by the Chinese Government, direct from Hong Kong to Fua’amotu International Airport on March 26.

Meanwhile, a mourning period of three months have been declared in Tonga, which had started from March 19 till June 19.

A Cabinet Committee chaired by Lord Vaea has been set up to oversee the program for the state funeral.

Story by: Gwen McGoon
Source: Matangi Tonga