Tupou VI facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tupou VI |
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Tupou VI in 2019
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| 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 |
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| 13th Prime Minister of Tonga | |||||
| Term | 3 January 2000 – 11 February 2006 | ||||
| Predecessor | Baron Vaea | ||||
| Successor | Feleti Sevele | ||||
| Monarch | Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV | ||||
| Born | 12 July 1959 Royal Palace, Nukuʻalofa, Kingdom of Tonga |
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| Spouse |
Nanasipauʻu Vaea
(m. 1982) |
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| Issue | Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala Prince Ata |
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| 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 |
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| Signature | |||||
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Tupou VI (born ʻAho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho on 12 July 1959) is the current King of Tonga. He was born at the Royal Palace in Tonga. He is the youngest child of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu.
Before becoming king, ʻAho‘eitu served as Prime Minister of Tonga from 2000 to 2006. When his older brother, George Tupou V, became king, ʻAho‘eitu was named the future king 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.
Contents
Early Life and Education
ʻAhoʻeitu was born in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, on 12 July 1959. His father was Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa Tungī, who later became King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV.
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 patrol boat called VOEA Pangai. During this time, he helped with peacekeeping in Bougainville. He continued his studies, earning a master's degree in defence studies in 1997. He also got another master's degree in international relations in 1999.
Government Roles
In 1998, ʻAhoʻeitu left his military career to work in 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, held these roles.
Serving as Prime Minister
On 3 January 2000, ʻAhoʻeitu became the prime minister. At that time, he was known as Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata.
He resigned as prime minister on 11 February 2006. This happened during a time when many people in Tonga wanted more democracy. They wanted the royal family to have less power in the government. Protests for these changes had been growing since mid-2005.
Diplomatic Work
In 2008, ʻAhoʻeitu became the head of Tonga's High Commission in Canberra, Australia. This was a big step for Tonga's diplomatic ties with Australia. He held this position until he became king in 2012.
He also served as an Ambassador to Japan from 2010 until he became king.
Becoming King of Tonga
When his older brother, George Tupou V, passed away on 18 March 2012, ʻAhoʻeitu became the King of Tonga. In July 2013, he was also named the 20th Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP) for one year.
Coronation Ceremony
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u had their coronation ceremony in Nukuʻalofa on 4 July 2015. A minister named Reverend D'Arcy Wood led the ceremony. About 15,000 guests came to celebrate.
During the ceremony, King Tupou VI was anointed with special oil. He was also given a ring and a sceptre. The crown was then placed on his head by Reverend Wood. This was done because Tongan tradition says that native Tongans should not touch the King's head. The celebrations lasted for eleven days.
Changes in Government
On 25 August 2017, King Tupou VI dismissed the Prime Minister, ʻAkilisi Pōhiva. He also dissolved the parliament and called for new elections. The King's decision was based on advice that the Prime Minister had made some choices without the King's approval. However, Pōhiva was reelected as Prime Minister later that year in November.
In February 2024, while the Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni was away for medical treatment, King Tupou VI made changes to some government roles. He removed Siaosi Sovaleni as the armed forces minister and Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu as the minister of foreign affairs and tourism. Both ministers later resigned from these positions in April 2024.
Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai Eruption
On 15 January 2022, a large volcano erupted near Tonga, causing a tsunami. The King was temporarily moved from the Royal Palace for safety. After this event, he asked everyone to work together and promised to help rebuild Tonga.
Marriage and Family Life
King 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. She was born on 17 November 1983. Since 2012, she has been the High Commissioner to Australia.
- Their second child is Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala. He was born on 17 September 1985. He married his 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)
- Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu (born 25 February 2021)
- Their third child is Prince Ata. He was born on 27 April 1988.
When ʻAhoʻeitu was confirmed as the future king, he received the noble title of Tupoutoʻa. This title is usually for crown princes. His other noble titles, ʻUlukālala of Fangatongo and ʻAta of Hihifo, were then passed on to his two sons.
Family Tree
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See Also
In Spanish: Tupou VI de Tonga para niños
- Tonga
- Succession to the Tongan throne
- List of current heads of state and government
