14th May, 2019 Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Kingdom of Thailand with residence in Canberra, Australia attended the Royal Coronation of His Majesty King Rama X, the King of Thailand.
Before the Royal Coronation Ceremony activities were held from the 6th of April leading up until the three day Royal Coronation Ceremony from the 4 to the 6 of May. On the 4th of May The Royal Purification ceremony took place followed by the Anointment ceremony, the crowning ceremony and His Majesty the King presented his first royal command. His Majesty the King granted an audience to members of the Royal family, the Privy Council and the Cabinet before he proceeded to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to proclaim himself the Royal Patron of Buddhism. The ceremony of Assumption of the Royal Residence followed. On the 5th of May a ceremony was held to bestow His Majesty’s Royal Cypher and Royal Title and to grant the royal ranks to members of royalty. His Majesty rode on the Royal Palanquin in the Royal Procession on Land encircling the city affording people the opportunity to attend and pay homage to their new King.
On the 6th of May His Majesty King Rama X granted a public audience on the balcony of Suddhaisavanya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace to receive the good wishes of the people. Her Royal Highness was granted a Royal Audience on the auspicious occasion of the Coronation of King Rama X on Monday 6th of May 2019 at the Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall, the Grand Palace for the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of International Organizations in Bangkok, Thailand. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps offered the Diplomatic Corps felicitations on this special occasion. A receipt Royal Reception was followed at the Baromarajasathitmaholarn Hall, within the Grand Palace.
The attendance of Her Royal Highness at this auspicious ceremony further strengthened cordial relations and friendship between the two Kingdoms. During Her Royal Highness’s time in Bangkok, Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho met with the Chairman of the Thailand International Chamber of Commerce, Director General of the Department of America and Pacific Affairs – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General of the Thai Traditional and Integrated Hospital, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Ambassador Arjaree Sriratanaban-Acting Director of Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs and other officials from Public and Private Sectors.
Her Royal Highness was accompanied by Mr Curtis Tu’ihalangingie and Mrs Afu Ha’apai ‘Aho from the Tonga High Commission – Canberra.
Press release from the High Commission of the Kingdom of Tonga in Canberra, Australia.