Tupou VI facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tupou VI
Tupou VI in 2019
King of Tonga
Reign	18 March 2012 – present
Coronation	4 July 2015
Predecessor	George Tupou V
Heir apparent	Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala
Prime Ministers	See list Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Semisi Sika (Acting) Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa Siaosi Sovaleni Samiu Vaipulu (Acting) ʻAisake Eke
13th Prime Minister of Tonga
Term	3 January 2000 – 11 February 2006
Predecessor	Baron Vaea
Successor	Feleti Sevele
Monarch	Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
Born	(1959-07-12) 12 July 1959 (age 66) Nukuʻalofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Spouse	Nanasipauʻu Vaea ​ (m. 1982)​
Issue	Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala Prince Ata
Full name ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho
House	Tupou dynasty
Father	Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
Mother	Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe
Religion	Free Wesleyan Church
Alma mater	University of East Anglia University of New South Wales Bond University
Signature

Tupou VI (born ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho on 12 July 1959) is the current King of Tonga. He is the youngest child of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV. Before becoming king, he served as the Prime Minister of Tonga from 2000 to 2006.

After his older brother, George Tupou V, became king, Tupou VI was named the official heir presumptive on 27 September 2006. This was because his brother did not have any children who could inherit the throne. In 2008, he became Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia. He lived in Canberra until his brother, King George Tupou V, passed away on 18 March 2012. At that time, he became King of Tonga and took the name Tupou VI. He was crowned in 2015 by Reverend D'Arcy Wood.

Early Life and School

ʻAhoʻeitu was born in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, on 12 July 1959. He was the third son and youngest child of Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa Tungī (who later became King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV) and Crown Princess Halaevalu Mataʻaho (who later became Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho).

He went to The Leys School in Cambridge, England, from 1973 to 1977. After that, he studied Development Studies at the University of East Anglia from 1977 to 1980.

Military Service

In 1982, ʻAhoʻeitu joined the navy part of the Tonga Defence Services. By 1987, he had reached the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He also studied at the US Naval War College in 1988.

From 1990 to 1995, he commanded a Pacific-class patrol boat called VOEA Pangai. During this time, he helped with peacekeeping efforts in Bougainville. He continued his education, earning a master's degree in defence studies from the University of New South Wales in 1997. He then earned another master's degree in international relations from Bond University in 1999.

Working for the Government

In 1998, ʻAhoʻeitu left his military career to work for the government. He became both the defence minister and the foreign minister. He held these jobs until August 2004. Before him, his older brother Tupoutoʻa (who later became King Siaosi Tupou V) held these positions.

Becoming Prime Minister

On 3 January 2000, ʻAhoʻeitu, who was then known as Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata, became the prime minister. The prime minister is the head of the government, similar to a president in some countries.

In 2004, some members of Parliament wanted him to resign. They were unhappy with some decisions, like the closure of Royal Tongan Airlines. They questioned if he could lead the country well.

ʻAhoʻeitu resigned as prime minister on 11 February 2006. This happened during a time when many people in Tonga were protesting. They wanted the royal family to have less power in the government. Later that year, there were protests in Nukuʻalofa where people showed they were unhappy with the political system. They wanted more say in how the country was run.

Diplomatic Work

In 2008, ʻAhoʻeitu became the head of Tonga's High Commission in Canberra, Australia. A High Commission is like an embassy, representing Tonga in another country. He held this job until he became king in 2012. This was an important step in Tonga's relationship with Australia.

At the same time, he also served as an Ambassador to Japan from 15 January 2010 until he became king in 2012. An ambassador represents their country in another country.

His Time as King

ʻAhoʻeitu became the King of Tonga when his older brother, George Tupou V, passed away on 18 March 2012. As Tonga's head of state, he was also made the 20th Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP) for one year in July 2013.

His Coronation

King Tupou VI after his coronation ceremony in Nukuʻalofa on 4 July 2015

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u had their coronation ceremony in Nukuʻalofa on 4 July 2015. Reverend D'Arcy Wood, a minister from Australia who was born in Tonga, led the ceremony. About 15,000 guests attended the celebration.

During the ceremony, King Tupou VI was anointed with special oil and given a ring and a sceptre. Reverend Wood placed the crown on his head. This was done by Wood because of a Tongan tradition that prevents native Tongans from touching the King's head. The celebrations for the coronation lasted for eleven days, starting a week before the main ceremony.

Changing the Government

On 25 August 2017, King Tupou VI dismissed the Prime Minister, ʻAkilisi Pōhiva. He also dissolved the Parliament and called for new elections to be held by mid-November. The speaker of Parliament, Lord Tuʻivakanō, explained that he advised the King to do this. Lord Tuʻivakanō said that Prime Minister Pōhiva had made some decisions that were against the country's rules, like signing international agreements without the King's approval. Pōhiva was reelected as prime minister in November 2017.

Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami

On 15 January 2022, the King had to temporarily move from the Royal Palace. This happened after the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupted and caused a tsunami. After this event, the King asked everyone to work together and promised to help rebuild the country.

Changes in Ministers

On 2 February 2024, while Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni was away for medical treatment, King Tupou VI reportedly removed Sovaleni as the armed forces minister. He also removed Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu as the minister of foreign affairs and tourism. Some noble members of Parliament had asked these ministers to resign. The country's top legal advisor, Linda Folaumoetu'i, said that the King's action was not allowed by the constitution.

In April 2024, Sovaleni and ʻUtoikamanu publicly announced that they had resigned from their positions as ministers.

Marriage and Family Life

ʻAhoʻeitu is married to Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho. She is the daughter of Baron Vaea. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Their oldest child is Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho (Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mataʻaho Napua-o-kalani Tukuʻaho), born on 17 November 1983. She has been Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia since 22 August 2012.

Their second child is Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala (Siaosi Manumataongo ʻAlaivahamamaʻo ʻAhoʻeitu Konstantin Tukuʻaho), born on 17 September 1985. He married his second cousin, Sinaitakala Fakafanua, on 12 July 2012. They have four children: Prince Taufaʻahau Manumataongo (born 10 May 2013), Princess Halaevalu Mataʻaho (born 12 July 2015), Princess Nanasipauʻu (born 20 March 2018), and Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu (born 25 February 2021).

Their third child is Prince Ata (Viliami ʻUnuaki-ʻo-Tonga Mumui Lalaka-Mo-e-ʻEiki Tukuʻaho), born on 27 April 1988.

When ʻAhoʻeitu was confirmed as the heir to the throne, he received the noble title of Tupoutoʻa. This title is usually given to crown princes. His older brother had given up this title because he married someone who was not royal. After ʻAhoʻeitu became king, his other noble titles, ʻUlukālala of Fangatongo and ʻAta of Hihifo, were passed on to his two sons.

Family Tree

See also

In Spanish: Tupou VI de Tonga para niños

• Tonga
• Succession to the Tongan throne
• List of current heads of state and government