Sunday, November 15, 2009
MM Video: Kings of Tonga
Royal World reports on the Kingdom of Tonga going constitutional. Not a disaster, but not a step in the right direction from my point of view but an occasion anyway to take a look at the Pacific island monarchy. The kings of the Pacific island nation of Tonga since the start of the modern constitutional monarchy in 1875. It is the only Pacific Ocean monarchy that is not a British Commonwealth realm. The Kings of Tonga previously held considerable political power but in 2008, just prior to his coronation, King George Tupou V announced he would be delegating most of these powers to his prime ministers. Since 1875 the kings of Tonga have been: George Tupou I, George Tupou II, Queen Salote Tupou III, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and today's King George Tupou V.
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Didn't know Tonga would be going constitutional...not sure that's the right move, but, then, I don't live there...but have lived in Hawaii where Tonga is a major tourist destination, the charm enhanced by its monarchy...
ReplyDeleteAs it usually is, monarchies just have a mystique about them republics lack. Even in Hawaii it is the royal palace that draws alot of attention and it is one of the things that makes Hawaii unique being the only state that was a monarchy before being annexed to the Union.
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