President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, left yesterday for Nukua’lofa, Tonga, to attend the coronation of King Tupou VI.
Ratu Epeli has close blood ties with the Tongan Royal Family.
The President’s private secretary, Pene Nonu, said the First Lady Adi Koila Nailatikau left on Thursday.
He said the aide-de-camp (ADC) would travel with the President. The President is among international royal guests for the coronation, inclusing Prince Georg von Habsburg of Hungary and Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg from Austria and the Maori King Tuheitia Paki.
According to Pacnews , on Thursday invited guests were invited to a luncheon and were accorded traditional entertainment by local residents at the Pangai Lahi domain in the capital, Nuku’alofa.
Former local journalist Iliesa Tora, who now lives in Nukua’lofa, said former senior RFMF officer Roko Ului Mara, who was appointed a private secretary for the King, was heavily involved in the preparation of today’s coronation.
He said heads of state and government officials from around the world were also in attendance.
Pacnews said China gifted 30 vehicles to Tonga to help with the transportation of all the official delegates and guests.
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