Royal Family Of Tonga

Queen Salote, of Tonga, is famous for certain personal qualities, especially for her wisdom as a ruler, and her dignity and charm, as a woman. This year she is due for world renown for another reason—namely, something approaching a record reign. Princess Salote, then a girl in her teens, was crowned Queen of Tonga on October 11, 1918; which means that in October she will have reigned over Tonga for no less than 44 years.

This happy family photograph taken outside the Royal Palace recently by Tulua Bros. Studio, Nukualofa, is also an event of some importance—it is the first time the whole family group—sons, their wives and 10 grand children—had been taken together. Standing at rear are Queen Salote’s sons Prince Tungi and Prince Tu’ipelehake. Their wives, Princess Mata’aho and Princess Melenaite, are at either end of the front row. Princess Mata’aho nursing her youngest child, Aho’eitu. Tungi has four children and Tu’ipelehake six. Back row from left to right are ’Uluvalu, ’Alaivahamama’o, Siuilikutapu the Queen, Bilolevu, Mailefihi and Taufa’ahau. Sitting between the two mothers in the bottom row are Ofeina, Fusipala and Taone. Prince Tungi’s children are ’Alaivahamama’o, Bilolevu, Aho’eitu and Taufa’ahau.