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Tupou VI6th King of Tonga since March 18, 2012
Date of Birth: 12.07.1959
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Content:
- Tupou VI: King of Tonga
- Political Career
- Reign
- Family
- Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho (born November 17, 1983)
- Prince Ata-'Ulukalala Tuku'aho (born April 27, 1988)
- Education
Tupou VI: King of Tonga
Early Life and Military CareerTupou VI, the 6th King of Tonga, was born into the Tupou dynasty as the third son and youngest child of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. He commenced his career in the military, joining the Tongan Navy in 1982 and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1987. From 1990 to 1995, he commanded the patrol boat "VOEA Pangai" and participated in a peacekeeping mission on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea.
Political Career
In 1998, Tupou VI entered government service, holding the positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs from October 1998 to August 2004. He succeeded his elder brother, Siaosi Tupou, in these roles. On January 3, 2000, he was appointed Prime Minister of Tonga. He resigned from this post on February 11, 2006, under unclear circumstances, possibly due to social unrest during mid-2005 where protestors advocated for reducing the royal family's role in Tongan governance. Feleti Sevele succeeded him, becoming Tonga's first non-hereditary noble or aristocrat prime minister.
Reign
On March 18, 2012, Tupou VI became King of Tonga, the first in over a century. His formal coronation ceremony took place three years later, culminating in a week of traditional Tongan rituals, public displays, and celebrations.
Family
Tupou VI is married to Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho, the daughter of Lord Vaea, the paramount chief. They have three children:
Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho (born November 17, 1983)
Prince Siaosi Tupouto'a Tuku'aho (born September 17, 1985), the Crown Prince
Prince Ata-'Ulukalala Tuku'aho (born April 27, 1988)
Titles and HonorsIn Tonga, princes are traditionally bestowed with a "kelepi" title by which they are known publicly. Before his official appointment as Crown Prince, Tupou VI held one or all three of the following titles: Lavaka of Pea, 'Ata of Koloua and 'Atatā, 'Ulukālala of Vava'u. These titles can be used in any order, but the most common usage is Lavaka 'Ata 'Ulukālala and 'Ulukālala Lavaka 'Ata.
Upon becoming Crown Prince, Tupou VI received the traditional title Tupouto'a, given to all crown princes. His elder brother previously held this title but had to relinquish it after marrying a commoner.
Education
Tupou VI holds the following degrees:General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), The Leys School, Cambridge, UK (1977)
Specialist in Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA (1988)
Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, Australian Joint Services Staff College, Australia (1995)
Master of Arts in Defence Studies, Bond University, Queensland, Australia (1997)
Master of Arts in International Relations, Bond University, Queensland, Australia (1998)
