My Visit to the King
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King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV had absolute rule for more than 40 years. It was in 1967 after the death of Queen Salote that the new King inherited the loyalty that the people had shown for his mother. As he would drive by in the royal vehicle, commoners would stop whatever they were doing to face the street and stand at attention while he passed. It was fascinating to see lines of school-aged children in their uniforms lined up to show their respect for their monarch.
The King was quite an athlete in his earlier days as a proficient pole-vaulter, cricketer, and rugby player. He was also credited with introducing surfing to his island home. However, at one time weighed the King weighed over 400 pounds, and was told by doctors that he would not see his 50th birthday. He then led a National Get Fit campaign and his example was an inspiration to many as he rode his royal custom-built bicycle. Members of the Tonga Royal Defense soldiers would run beside him. He also would exercise in the harbor in Nuku’alofa, the nation’s capital, by rowing a boat, paddling round and round in large circles. I personally witnessed him on his bicycle and rowing his boat.
The King had been the first Tongan to receive a law degree. He tried hard to lift the kingdom’s educational standards.
King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV died in 2006 after which his eldest son, George Tupou V, became the reigning King.
My first official visit to the King, Taufa’ahau Tupou IV was in 1989. My husband had just been called as the new mission president over the small island kingdom of Tonga. Our mission office contacted the spokesperson for the King to arrange for an audience with His Majesty for us and for a group of our missionaries.
Our formal meeting would take place at His Majesty’s Royal Summer Cottage. In order for our party to have this audience with the King, we were expected to prepare a meal for him and his royal family. The food we prepared in response to the King’s request, included turkeys, ham, potato salad, and trifle (The King’s favorite dessert). We arrived with about twenty of our missionaries each carrying beautifully decorated offerings.
We entered the receiving area, and His Majesty sat nearby on a large throne flanked on both sides by his royal spokesmen. My husband had informed me that I would have to crawl in to the King on my hands and knees, and then kiss the King’s hand. Being from a democratic society, this tradition was very foreign to me, but wanting to be a good wife, I obeyed. Having worn nylons and a long dress, crawling on the large woven mat on the floor was a challenge, but I somehow managed to make it all the way across the floor to find myself at the King’s feet.
The King held his hand out towards me. My little hand was swallowed up in his humongous ring-fingered hand. I gave the back of his hand a kiss, and he lifted me up and looked into my face. It was considered bad manners in Tongan custom for me to look into his eyes, so I looked down. In his low booming voice, he asked me if the man behind me was my husband, and I replied that he was. He then asked me to sit down beside him on the floor while he greeted my husband and our missionaries. I was very nervous, but I enjoyed watching as each person in the party took their turn showing their honor and respect to the Tongan King.
Afterward, we proceeded with the program we had prepared which included reading scriptures from the Bible and singing hymns. It was a very enjoyable experience and one I will always remember. I realize what a rare experience it was.
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Comments
Yes, what a wonderful experience. Being Tongan--I truly do appreciate the example that HRH tried to show to lift his fellow Tongans.
This is fascinating! Thank you for enlightening me about this part of the world.
I appreciate your comments. Tonga is a very interesting country.
What a great reminder and how wonderful it is to be able to experience different culture and enjoy the uniqueness of each stroke of the brush as you paint the tapestry of our global community.
It is my pleasure to learn more about Tonga and share it.
I never in my entire life ever been in a presence of a king. This is quite interesting. And my eyes really widened when you had to crawl to the King? Woh! Congratulations for being a Hubnugget Wannabe! To vote and check the what's happening over there, roll the carpet please...ta dan! http://hubpages.com/_hubnuggets10/hub/Is-13-your-l Enjoy!
Wow!! I love this story!! Thanks for sharing!
The story would make a wonderful childrens story for your grandkids!
Hi:
I enjoyed reading about King Tupou as I am familiar with a family member and found the child's life to be an interesting mix of Western and Polynesian cultures. Your recollection of practicing Tongan culture in your western attire reminded me of my student.
thanks Mandy, Joel and Peggy. Glad you enjoyed my story. Should have worn traditional costume - would have been easier to get to the King.
Wow, what an experience to actually be allowed to visit a king and participate in that country's tradition. Congrats, on being selected as a Hubnugget Wannabe...
thank MG - I appreciate that - hope I can make it this time.
Being your father gives me such pleasure and I am particularly grateful that you became my connection to Polynesia over these many years and gave your Mother and I a wonderful opportunity to know these great people.
Thanks, Dad! You've always been so supportive. You gave up so much to visit us in Tonga also for which I will always be grateful.
Ok, this was fascinating! I hope you write some more about this visit in detail such as this hub.
Well done.
And congratulations on the HubNugget Wannabe Nomination, and good luck
Thanks Duchess - I would like to hear the story of your name if you don't mind sometime. Are you royalty?
Gladly I will share the story of my name.....No I am not royalty! Just a dreamer.
I have actually written a Hub on my name. I know that sound pretentious, but I have lots of people commenting and asking about it. So, I figure, why not explain it once, then everyone can read it.
Anyway, here's the link http://hubpages.com/_3l3azcpvdnj5/hub/So-Whats-Up-
Wow!!! How strange to crawl and kiss the king's hand and then to have him speak to you ... and what an honor to be invited to sit next to royalty. Liana is right, this would make for a really nice children's book. I really enjoyed your story and thanks for sharing. Congrats on the HubNugget Wannabe Nomination - good luck and I hope you win.
Thanks Seneti. Glad you got my message - we'll see if I win or not - it is fun trying.
where exactly this tonga is located?
Thanks for reading manoj gopale. Tonga lies south of Samoa which is about one-third of the way from New Zealand to Hawai?i. Tonga is the only sovereign monarchy among the island nations of the Pacific Ocean.
Thanks for sharing. What is the population of Tonga?
Thanks Karenbellas. The population of Tonga is around 100,000. It is a small kingdom by they are so proud to be Tongan with the last remaining monarchy in the South Pacific.
breakfastpop says:
2 months ago
What an incredible experience. Thanks for sharing.