Tonga in mourning as king dies aged 63 | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

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Tonga in mourning as king dies aged 63

Tonga was plunged into mourning on Monday at the death of King George Tupou V, an eccentric reformer who relinquished absolute power to bring democracy to the impoverished South Pacific nation.

Tonga's King George Tupou V (pictured in 2008), who relinquished absolute power to bring democracy to the South Pacific nation, has died at the age of 63, the country's prime minister announced on Monday.

The death aged 63 of the monocle-wearing king, who had a penchant for flamboyant military uniforms and driving around in a London taxi, had engulfed the country in a "black stormcloud", Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano said.

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  • paul_giles

    ThailandPost : 289

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    Discussion 1 : 19 Mar 2012 at 07.471

    From the article: "a clique of nobles"

    As we rounded the azure bay of a tiny atoll, I spied a clique of noble Tongans through my telescope.

    Also: "When Tupou V was finally crowned in an ancient Tongan ceremony, more than 200 nobles and chiefs presented dozens of slaughtered pigs"

    I postulate that pigs are amongst the most distraught at the untimely death of their beloved Tupou V; every pig on the island must be dreading the crowning of Tupou VI and what comes after...

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