WITH THE GRACE OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD
WITH RESPECT TO YOUR MAJESTY KING TUPOU VI, AND TO THE NOBLES OF THE REALM OF HA’A MOHEOFO, HA’A MA’AFU, KAU HALA ‘UTA, HA’A TAKALAUA, HA’A FALEFISI, HA’A VAEA, HA’A LATU HIFO, FOKOLOLO ‘O E HAU, ONGO HA’A NGATA, ONGO HA’A HAVEA, KANOLOTOA’A ‘O E HAU, AND WITH RESPECT TO THE PEOPLE OF TONGA,
I am to announce the demise of Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho The Queen Mother whom has been called to rest by the Almighty God. Her Majesty, The Queen Mother peacefully passed away on the evening of Sunday 19th February, 2017 at 2215HRS, at the Auckland hospital.
Her Majesty, The Queen Mother will be brought home to the Royal Palace for the ‘Takipo’ Ceremony, on Tuesday 28th February, 2017. Henceforth Her Majesty, The Queen Mother shall be laid to rest on the morning of Wednesday 1st March, 2017 with the Worship Service at the Royal Tombs, Mala’e Kula. The traditional Royal ‘Tapu’ ceremony will be observed with mourning for a period of ten days.
We are moved with profound sadness at the loss of the tiled ‘Kakala’ whose essence has been the sanctuary and the foundation of love for the Royal House of Tupou.
Herewith signed,
His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Tupoutu’a ‘Ulukalala
ROYAL PALACE
Nuku’alofa
February 21st, 2017