Tonga prepares for death of king

Tonga’s prime minister made a bedside visit to the elderly and ailing king of the tiny Pacific island nation today, as the country made preparations for the end of one of the world’s longest reigns by any monarch.

Details of the king’s health problems have not been released, but he has struggled with obesity for years and is believed to be suffering heart disease, diabetes and associated ailments. In the past year, the king’s health has confined him mostly to his residence in Auckland, with frequent visits to hospital.

Prime Minister Feleti Sevele travelled from Tonga to the hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, where 88-year-old King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV lies bedridden.

Sevele spent a short time with the king and his family, Sevele’s political adviser, Lopeti Senitule, told New Zealand’s National Radio.

Doctors earlier told Tongan palace officials that the king remained stable and comfortable at the private Mercy Hospital.

Close family members – including his wife, daughter and youngest son – were at his bedside, said Tonga’s Lord Chamberlain, Hon. Fielekepa, who like other Tongan nobles use a single name. The lord chamberlain is a government minister assigned to serve the monarch.

Sevele called on church leaders, prayer groups and all Tongans in the heavily Christian country to pray for the king’s well being.

Tupou IV has been the absolute ruler of the chain of more than 170 South Pacific islets since 1965, a 41-year reign that puts him fourth on the list of longest-serving sovereigns, after Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and Samoa’s King Malietoa Tanumafili II.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a remains in the Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa.

Hon. Fielekepa told National Radio that government committees “are looking into various aspects of His Majesty’s current condition and what should happen if the Sun should fall” – a reference to mourning and funeral preparations under way in the islands kingdom.

He returned briefly to Tonga to attend celebrations for his 88th birthday on July 4, returning to Auckland two days later.

Sevele – the first commoner to hold the post – was appointed prime minister early this year after the king’s youngest son, Prince ’Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, resigned.

There are 26 heirs to the Tongan throne directly descended from the late Queen Salote, though the favourites to succeed Tupou IV are Ata and Crown Prince Tupouto’a.