This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7536474.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tonga crowns king in lavish rite | Tonga crowns king in lavish rite |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| George Tupou V has been crowned king of Tonga in the capital Nuku'alofa, marking the South Pacific state's first coronation in more than 40 years. | George Tupou V has been crowned king of Tonga in the capital Nuku'alofa, marking the South Pacific state's first coronation in more than 40 years. |
| He was anointed with oil and had a gold crown placed on his head in the Christian ceremony, performed in a church before 1,000 guests. | He was anointed with oil and had a gold crown placed on his head in the Christian ceremony, performed in a church before 1,000 guests. |
| The new monarch was called upon to rule "wisely, justly and truly". | The new monarch was called upon to rule "wisely, justly and truly". |
| Thousands of people had lined the route to the church and cheered when the new monarch emerged. | Thousands of people had lined the route to the church and cheered when the new monarch emerged. |
| Earlier, Prime Minister Fred Sevele defended the lavish festivities marking the coronation saying that "the great majority of Tongans" would make no apologies for them | Earlier, Prime Minister Fred Sevele defended the lavish festivities marking the coronation saying that "the great majority of Tongans" would make no apologies for them |
| Officials say some 5.7m Tongan dollars (US$2.5m) have been spent on the event in a country where poverty is widespread. | Officials say some 5.7m Tongan dollars (US$2.5m) have been spent on the event in a country where poverty is widespread. |
| Silk breeches | Silk breeches |
| The new king's father, the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, ascended to the throne in 1967 and died in 2006. | The new king's father, the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, ascended to the throne in 1967 and died in 2006. |
| The monarch-to-be talked to the BBC | |
| Sitting on a golden throne on Friday in the capital's Centenary Free Wesleyan Church, George Tupou V was "anointed, blessed and consecrated" by the Archbishop of Polynesia, Jabez Bryce. | Sitting on a golden throne on Friday in the capital's Centenary Free Wesleyan Church, George Tupou V was "anointed, blessed and consecrated" by the Archbishop of Polynesia, Jabez Bryce. |
| The king wore silk knee breeches, a medal-decked jacket and a maroon-coloured cape trimmed with white ermine fur. | The king wore silk knee breeches, a medal-decked jacket and a maroon-coloured cape trimmed with white ermine fur. |
| His three-metre-long train was carried by child pages. | His three-metre-long train was carried by child pages. |
| A 21-cannon salute and the tolling of church bells marked the coronation. | A 21-cannon salute and the tolling of church bells marked the coronation. |
| Royal guests included Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the UK's Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. | Royal guests included Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the UK's Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. |
| The new king will rule over a semi-feudal political system where he and nobles decide the make-up of the cabinet and parliament. | The new king will rule over a semi-feudal political system where he and nobles decide the make-up of the cabinet and parliament. |
| But he has said he supports reforms, scheduled for 2010, in which most seats in the country's parliament will become popularly elected. | But he has said he supports reforms, scheduled for 2010, in which most seats in the country's parliament will become popularly elected. |
| The promised reforms follow destructive riots in Nuku'alofa in 2006. | The promised reforms follow destructive riots in Nuku'alofa in 2006. |