An elaborate and sombre funeral was held in Tonga for King George Tupou V with some 1,000 pallbearers wearing traditional grass skirts carrying his body to the royal tombs.
Renowned for his love of military uniforms and a jet-setting lifestyle, Tupou was seen as an eccentric but also a visionary during his short six-year reign in which he paved the way for democracy in the country of 100,000 people.
The body of the 63-year-old was placed on a large wooden bier at noon (2300 GMT Monday) after lying in a casket in the throne room of his palace where locals observed an overnight vigil.
Hundreds of men, all wearing black clothes and traditional woven ta'ovala mats around their waists, carried it 300 metres (yards) to the royal tombs, some straining under the massive weight as the midday sun beat down.
A government official said the bier weighed five tonnes because it was reinforced with steel, with the men taking turns to shoulder the burden.
The monarch's younger brother King Tupou VI, who will take over as head of state, and his wife Queen Nanasipau'u walked behind with other family members, some wearing mats which almost blanketed them to show their closeness to the deceased.
As the bells of the Free Wesleyan Church bell began to toll, a 21-gun salute boomed out and the military band leading the march played as the procession made its stately journey, watched by hundreds of Tongans who lined the streets.
"It's very moving," said Tafolosa Bloomfield who wanted to witness the historic funeral procession, last seen in Tonga in 2006.
"We feel for the king. Despite all the political differences when it comes to the king and our culture, nothing else matters," she told AFP.
Daphne Manu, a Tongan visiting from the United States whose nephew was among the pallbearers, said the ceremony was overwhelming.
"That was amazing," she said, pointing out the crowds of men and women in traditional dress.
Children dressed in their school uniforms sat head bowed as the procession passed into the royal tombs area, where several thousand more students sat for the three-hour Christian service as the royal family and dignitaries looked on.
The service was in Tongan and mourners were told that while the late king had the shortest reign of the Tupou dynasty, he achieved "the most momentous legacy in terms of political reform", government spokesman Paula Ma'u said.
Tupou, who was not married, was the direct descendant of King Tupou I, who founded the dynasty in the 19th century.
Oxford-educated, he was sometimes criticised for his overseas travel, but he won support after moving to remove years of feudal rule after riots rocked the capital in November 2006.
The funeral essentially brought normal activities in the capital of Nuku'alofa to a standstill.
"It's a major event that affects all Tongans," said Sandra Fifita, acting director of the Ministry of Tourism, as she herself wiped away tears.
The cause of death has not been released but the late king underwent treatment last year for cancer.
Tonga's monarchy can trace its history back 1,000 years and by the 13th century the nation wielded power and influence over surrounding islands, including Samoa, nearly 900 kilometres (500 miles) to the east.
Tupou I, who converted to Christianity after coming under the influence of missionaries, was proclaimed king in 1845 after winning control of the monarchy from two other royal lines.
By 1900 the country had become a British protectorate and only acquired its independence in 1970. It remains the only monarchy among South Pacific island nations.
Tongans bid farewell to their visionary late king
An elaborate and sombre funeral was held in Tonga for King George Tupou V with some 1,000 pallbearers wearing traditional grass skirts carrying his body to the royal tombs.
Renowned for his love of military uniforms and a jet-setting lifestyle, Tupou was seen as an eccentric but also a visionary during his short six-year reign in which he paved the way for democracy in the country of 100,000 people.
The body of the 63-year-old was placed on a large wooden bier at noon (2300 GMT Monday) after lying in a casket in the throne room of his palace where locals observed an overnight vigil.
Hundreds of men, all wearing black clothes and traditional woven ta'ovala mats around their waists, carried it 300 metres (yards) to the royal tombs, some straining under the massive weight as the midday sun beat down.
A government official said the bier weighed five tonnes because it was reinforced with steel, with the men taking turns to shoulder the burden.
The monarch's younger brother King Tupou VI, who will take over as head of state, and his wife Queen Nanasipau'u walked behind with other family members, some wearing mats which almost blanketed them to show their closeness to the deceased.
As the bells of the Free Wesleyan Church bell began to toll, a 21-gun salute boomed out and the military band leading the march played as the procession made its stately journey, watched by hundreds of Tongans who lined the streets.
"It's very moving," said Tafolosa Bloomfield who wanted to witness the historic funeral procession, last seen in Tonga in 2006.
"We feel for the king. Despite all the political differences when it comes to the king and our culture, nothing else matters," she told AFP.
Daphne Manu, a Tongan visiting from the United States whose nephew was among the pallbearers, said the ceremony was overwhelming.
"That was amazing," she said, pointing out the crowds of men and women in traditional dress.
Children dressed in their school uniforms sat head bowed as the procession passed into the royal tombs area, where several thousand more students sat for the three-hour Christian service as the royal family and dignitaries looked on.
The service was in Tongan and mourners were told that while the late king had the shortest reign of the Tupou dynasty, he achieved "the most momentous legacy in terms of political reform", government spokesman Paula Ma'u said.
Tupou, who was not married, was the direct descendant of King Tupou I, who founded the dynasty in the 19th century.
Oxford-educated, he was sometimes criticised for his overseas travel, but he won support after moving to remove years of feudal rule after riots rocked the capital in November 2006.
The funeral essentially brought normal activities in the capital of Nuku'alofa to a standstill.
"It's a major event that affects all Tongans," said Sandra Fifita, acting director of the Ministry of Tourism, as she herself wiped away tears.
The cause of death has not been released but the late king underwent treatment last year for cancer.
Tonga's monarchy can trace its history back 1,000 years and by the 13th century the nation wielded power and influence over surrounding islands, including Samoa, nearly 900 kilometres (500 miles) to the east.
Tupou I, who converted to Christianity after coming under the influence of missionaries, was proclaimed king in 1845 after winning control of the monarchy from two other royal lines.
By 1900 the country had become a British protectorate and only acquired its independence in 1970. It remains the only monarchy among South Pacific island nations.
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