Commoner

The Princess And The

From a Nukualofa correspondent All the world loves a lover, so the saying goes; but in Tonga, life is not that easy. The news that Princess Siu’ilikutapu, daughter of Tonga’s Premier and niece of the king, had secretly married a Rugby-playing commoner, Sione Liava’a, hit the kingdom like a tor nado in November.

The marriage, which took place in Auckland, remained a secret for about a week and many Tongans still don’t believe it took place at all; in the face of official silence, rumours have been varied, from one that a legal form of marriage never took place, to another that it would never be accepted by Tongan royalty.

Princess Siu’ilikutapu is the 22year-old daughter of Tonga’s Premier, Prince Tu’ipelehake, younger brother of the king. As the eldest of a family of four girls and two boys she has had special care and affection lavished upon her by her parents and many of their friends and older relatives.

This has not spoilt her for she has grown up to be a charming, considerate and mature young lady.

She is a stenographer in her father’s department and Commissioner of the Girl Guide Movement.

When she came of age last May, hundreds of people attended the feast and evening of traditional oratory, singing and dancing. Many who were not invited came with their gifts.

Picture shows her cutting the cake.

In August she left with her parents for a New Zealand holiday. When news of the marriage broke she was flown home on November 6 without her parents or husband, and was living quietly with an uncle.

As teenagers, the young couple both attended the same local high school. Later, both transferred to Auckland where Siu’ilikutapu at tended Epsom Girls’ Grammar and Sione Liava’a went to Auckland Grammar School. Both lived at the Tonga Government Residence, “Atalanga”.

When the princess returned home last year, 21-year-old Liava’a went on to Auckland University where

he is studying to be an accountant and making a name for himself on the Rugby field.