Titles bestowed on Princes of Tonga

Titles bestowed on Princes of Tonga

His Majesty King George V has appointed his younger brother, previously known as HRH Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata to the heir apparent noble title of Tupouto’a.

He is the youngest son of the late King His Majesty Taufa’ahau Tupou IV. He is a former Prime Minister of Tonga and has served as a Cabinet Minister in Tonga. He has also held numerous ministerial portfolios, including Foreign Affairs, Defence, Civil Aviation, Communications and Marine & Ports. The appointment by His Majesty the King George V is to be in effect from 11th of September 2006, with the Commissions dated Wednesday the 27th of September.

The eldest son of the newly assigned HRH Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka has been appointed to the noble title of ‘Ulukalala, which was previously held by his father.

HRH Prince Siaosi Manumataongo ‘Alaivahamama’o ‘Ahoeitu Konstantin Tuku’aho will hold the prestigious ‘Ulukalalala title. The Hereditary Estate for the title ‘Ulukalala is Hihifo ‘i Vava’u. The name ‘Ulukalala itself is believed to have Fijian connections but derives from Finau ‘Ulukalala, a famous warrior chief of the Ha’a Ngata Tupu and the indomitable warlord from Vava’u who raided Tongatapu.

HRH Prince Viliami ‘Unuaki-o-Tonga Mumui Lalaka-Moe-‘Eiki Tuku’aho, the second son of HRH Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka is to be appointed to the Noble Title Ata.

The Hereditary Estates for the title Ata are Kolovai in Tongatapu and the island of ‘Atata, North-West of Nuku’alofa. Kolovai is a very old settlement in Tonga, previously known as Pelu-ki he-hau, an ancient fortress of defenders of the Tu’i Kanokupolu line of Hau (Temporal rulers).

Kolovai is also believed to be the original residence of the Tu’i Kanokupolu. Traditionally, the Tu’i Kanokupolu title would only be conferred under a special Koka tree at a place called Pangai in Kolovai. Kolovai is also known for its colonies of fruit-bats or flying foxes. Legend has it that the Chief Ula brought the flying foxes to Kolovai to remedy an illness experienced by Ata. In Tongan lore, flying foxes are associated with the Royal Family and by tradition these fruit bats were sacred and could only be killed for the table of the Royal Family.

The appointments made by His Majesty the King George V are to be in effect from 25th of September 2006, with the Commissions dated Wednesday the 27th of September.

END

Office of the Lord Chamberlain Nuku’alofa Tonga

© Scoop Media