Kingdom of Tonga

[iceflower]

Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili held a speech following New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's formal apology to the Pacifika people affected by the dawn raids of the 1970's at a ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand today, August 1:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **

 

[eya]

The mother of Queen Nanasipau'u, Baroness Tuputupu ‘o Pulotu Vaea of Houma, was laid to rest at the Kolomanatau Cemetery, Houma, Tongatapu, on 2 August


https://matangitonga.to/2021/08/02/baroness-tuputupu-vaea-houma-funeral

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Tongan Royal Palace

We rarely see pictures from inside the Tongan Royal Palace however I have located some images and will upload some more. You can see the difference between the original structure and the new extensions.
Have also found rare views from the balcony.

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Congratualations to the family! I am a bit surprised that the child was born in Canberrra, Australia instead of Auckland, New Zealand as it seemed the Crown princely couple resided in New Zealand most of the time. Probably the pandemic also impacted this change of birth location?

The Crown Prince is in Australia for studies and is with his family

 

[Le Prince Royale]

What a great photo. The palace looks tiny without the verandas.



I see they're still insisting on using black paint, although thankfully, not as much as they used to have. The door into the Throne Room looks as if it has glass panels now.

I have a few more photos of the Royal Palace to share

 

[eya]

A ground-breaking ceremony for the establishment of the second temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga was held at Neiafu, Vava’u on Saturday 11 September

King Tupou and HM Queen Nansipau’u performed the ceremony

https://matangitonga.to/2021/09/13/ground-breaking-lds-temple-neiafu

 

[Iain]

I have a few more photos of the Royal Palace to share

I look forward to seeing them.

 

[Iain]

We rarely see pictures from inside the Tongan Royal Palace however I have located some images and will upload some more. You can see the difference between the original structure and the new extensions.
Have also found rare views from the balcony.

Very good pictures, thanks for posting them. The room with the dresser and chairs is the old Privy Council Chamber which doubled as a dining room and I'm glad to see they have covered the wood panneling. They are obviously retaining the pelmets, which I believe are the work of Queen Salote, and putting them up above the new doors which replaced the windows.

 

[No1saint]

Where did you find this? Photos of the interior are very rare indeed.

 

[No1saint]

Royal Villa interior

Some interior photos of the Royal Villa residence.

 

[No1saint]

More photos of the Villa

More photos over time at the Villa from Tupou V to now.

 

[No1saint]

More photos of the Villa

This is from the final night royal vigil in 2004 for the son of Tupou IV who was stripped of his title after marrying without the approval of his father. After the early passing of wife, he returned to Tonga and was elevated to Lord status (not back to HRH or back into the line of succession) and was married to a grand daughter of the head of state of Samoa. Tupou V before his coronation elevated their eldest son to HSH and gave him the title with estates of Tungi, a title held by the husband of HM Queen Salote.

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Tongan Royal Palace

More photos

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Main Palace Tower

Main Palace Tower
Tower views

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Palace Interior

Including powder room

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Upper Palace rooms

Including laundry room and views from upper verandah

 

[Le Prince Royale]

More rooms from the Palace

Lower floor

 

[No1saint]

Wow! Just wow! Thank you for sharing. They are amazing. How did you get them?

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Wow! Just wow! Thank you for sharing. They are amazing. How did you get them?

I've been interested in knowing what the interior of the Palace looks like too so have been actively looking and came across these photos. There are also photos of the Royal Villa Residence during renovations to host Prince Harry and Meghan's visit to Tonga

 

[No1saint]

Well done on your search techniques, can you please post the Villa ones too?

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Tonga Royal Villa

Photos obtained from the Villa Residence
First two pictures shows HRH Princess Angelika receiving guests?

 

[Le Prince Royale]

More from Royal Villa Residence

Photos taken after renovations for the visit of Prince Harry and wife Meghan

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Tonga Royal Villa

Some new furniture and old - unsure how his Late Majesty King George Tupou V would feel about the new look

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Tonga Royal Villa

The last of the collection. Also have a few photos of the Old Consular House (formerly belonging to British High Commission) which is now used by the Tongan Royal Family

 

[No1saint]

Holy heck! Thank you so much.

 

[No1saint]

His late Majesty would not be impressed at all. It looks terrible now. Eeeek. I blame the current Queen.

 

[No1saint]

I can’t believed they recovered those lovely floral couches with that hideous fabric.

 

[Somebody]

Last week the Hon. Titilupe, niece of the king by his eldest sister the princess royal, was received by king Willem-Alexander when she offered her credentials as ambassador to the Netherlands. She is based in London and covers all of Europe but is still visiting the various heads of states to offer her credentials.

 

[Le Prince Royale]

Modern Furniture?

My bad, forgot to upload these. It seems the Villa Residence received new furniture for a modern look. It appears it was bought for Harry and Meghan's visit and I assume it will be kept to be used by the current occupant, HRH Princess Angelika even though she is mainly overseas

 

[No1saint]

These are better, but don’t suit the style of building at all. This would be perfect for the main Royal Palace with it’s mostly stark white interior.