King of Tonga George Tupou V dies aged 63
Baku, March 19 (AZERTAC). Tonga`s King George Tupou V, who championed a more democratic system of government in the Pacific island nation, has died, the Tongan prime minister has announced.
Prime Minister Lord Siale`ataonga Tu`ivakano gave a brief address announcing that the king had died at 3pm on Sunday, Pesi Fonua, publisher of the Tongan news website Matangi Tonga, told The Associated Press. No cause of death was given.
The prime minister said the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Tupouto`a Lavaka, was at the 63-year-old king`s side when he died at a hospital in Hong Kong. The prime minister declared that the royal family and entire nation was in mourning, ending his address with a Tongan expression meaning "The sun has set," according to Mr Fonua.
The king had a liver transplant last year and suffered other health problems, according to Tongan media reports.
King Tupou had reigned over the island nation of 106,000 since Sept 2006, after the death of his father, King Taufa`ahau Tupou IV.
The king, who studied at King`s College in Auckland, New Zealand, and in Britain, is credited with championing a more open system of government, advocating technological improvements and introducing a more open economy in the kingdom.
He will be remembered by many for his throwback fashion choices - which included wearing, at times, a top hat and even a monocle.
New Zealand`s Prime Minister John Key released a statement on Monday saying that his thoughts were with the people of Tonga.
"I would like to acknowledge the very valuable contribution the king has made in steering Tonga towards democracy and hope this work will continue," Key said. "He believed that the monarchy was an instrument of change and can truly be seen as the architect of evolving democracy in Tonga. This will be his enduring legacy."
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