Royal Tongans

Intimate Glimpses of a Queen And Two Princes

the most interesting per sonalities in the Pacific are the members of the Royal Family of Tonga. They have had “the white light that heats upon a throne” upon them lately , because of the double Royal wedding—both Prince Tugi (Heir apparent) and Prince Fatafehi were married last month.

This excellent article was written by John Hardingham for “New Zealand Herald.” It is in contrast with much rubbish about the Tongan royalty that has been published in recent years.

THE strong, benevolent influence of a Tudor Elizabeth is combined with the dignity and majesty of a Vic toria in the very human Queen who rules the little Pacific Kingdom of Tonga.

Because of the reverence in which she is held by her 40,000 subjects, Queen Salote Maflle’o Veiogo could, perhaps, usurp the powers of an absolute monarch; instead she jealously maintains the democratic principles introduced from British pattern in 1875 by her grandfather, King Topou I.

Queen Salote —her name is the Tongan equivalent of Charlotte—is a direct de scendant in the 21st generation of a

distinguished chief who founded the Tui Kanokubolo dynasty in about 1610. She came to the throne in 1918 as a girl of 18. That was the year after she had married Prince Tungi. who became de voted Queen’s Consort and, for many years, Premier of the Kingdom until his death in 1941.

The deep black hair of the widowed Queen "has greyed in a reign of nearly 30 years, but she has never lost the Tongan’s gift of laughter. Young people are still chosen as her palace companions; she herself is a very youthful 47. With her ready smile and bubbling sense of humour, Her Majesty seems almost im mune to age.

Gracious And Gentle Manner

FINELY proportioned to her excep tional height of 6 ft. 1 in.—some say 6 ft. 3 in.—Her Majesty is every inch a Queen. She is gracious and gentle in manner, stately in bearing, but able to shed aloofness like a cloak without losing

a scrap of dignity. She is equally at home with Europeans or Tongans and speaks English with perfect accent and idiom in an unmistakable bell-like voice Like musicians, her attendants seemed tuned to register those soft tones when they may be unheard by a stranger.

Her Majesty's generous hospitality was never better shown than during the war years. The 10,000 Allied servicemen based on the Friendly Islands were regarded by the Queen as soldiers who had sacrificed their home life to assist in the defence of Tonga. They were to be regarded as Royal guests; if they needed food or sought shelter, even the palace was open to them at any hour.

There was no empty assurance. Day after day the Queen’s maids-of-honour were hostesses to Americans and New Zealanders on the palace lawns. Some times they would sacrifice sleep and pre pare a meal in the early hours of the morning for a group of tired and hungry soldiers arriving as strangers in the town.

If there should be a sulky or silent hostess a silken voice from behind the lattice screen of the palace verandah could gal vanise an instant smile and a merrv manner.

Influence In Government

THE Queen’s real influence in the Gov ernment of her Kingdom cannot be measured in the terms of the con stitution. She is no Royal cipher. With out arrogance and seemingly without ever having to force a point with her advisors, Her Majesty is the dominant figure in the Privy Council which, sub ject to the ratification of a democratic ally-elected Parliament, rules the country for the greater part of the year.

In these councils of government, Queen Salote is said to speak seldom but always soundly. In discussion she is a patient listener and a quiet contributor. Her real authority, outside the reverence owed to the Crown, comes from her skill in crystallising controversy and reducing complicated issues to a clear decision Above all, she has the gift of common sense.

Tonga maintains its monarchy with out extravagance or luxury. From the Civil List, Her Majesty draws £2OOO a year, plus small allowances for her aide de-camp (who is her half-brother) and a chaplain. There is also provision for six personal attendants to receive an annual honorarium of £l2 each. Copra plantations on the Royal estates yield an additional personal income.

Massively-Built Heir

11HE heir to the Throne, Prince Tungi, now in his 29th year, has inherited many of his mothers’ qualities.

Rather belying his massive 23-stone build, he is a scholarly, shy person, de void of either pride or condescension. His outlook has been strongly influenced by the ten years he spent in Australia, first as a pupil in a public school and later at Sydney University, where he gradu ated in law. He has a wholly analytical mind with the scholar’s ability to think and speak in abstract. Had he not been a Prince of the Royal House of Tonga he might have been a pleasant University don.

That the Crown Prince is a man of high principle was revealed recently over the question of liquor licences. Alcohol is forbidden to Tongans but, under the authority of the Cabinet, dispensations have been granted to 120 semi-officials, mainly to save them embarrassment in exchanging hospitality with Europeans.

When there seemed a danger of the per mit system losing its real meaning by as suming a social significance, Prince Tungi set a lead by renouncing his own permit. His decision was proclaimed publicly in the Royal Gazette.