A Right Royal

Tonga has not seen such a spec tacle as the July wedding of Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu to Captain Mauiupekotofa Tuita since the double wedding of the late Queen Salote's two sons 31 years ago.

Bright sunshine enhanced the pageantry of the occasion, as thousands of Tongans and large numbers of overseas visitors pack ed the palace grounds to watch the wedding procession.

At 10 am the bride, on the arm of her father. King Taufaahau Tupou IV, and followed by her six bridesmaids, flower-girl and page, walked from the Palace to the Royal Chapel.

Awaiting the bride at the altar was the groom with his best man.

The 45-minute wedding ceremony was conducted by the Royal Chaplain, the Rev Dr Sione Amanaki Havea, assisted by the secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church Conference, the Rev Siupeli Taliai, and the church secretary, the Rev John Connan.

The well-known Maopa choir led the singing of the wedding hymn and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.

As the newly-wed couple emerged from the chapel. Captain Tuita's fellow officers raised their swords to form an arch of honour through which they passed.

The couple moved on through the palace grounds and into the Palace to greet the King and Queen, members of the Royal Family, and other dignitaries.

A spontaneous cheer from women seated on either side of the tapa-covered pathway, and im promptu singing and dancing, marked their passage.

Following the taking of the of ficial wedding photographs, the King and Queen joined the bride and groom in the royal shelter for the wedding breakfast in front of Fangatapu Palace.

Speaking at the breakfast, the King surveyed the big crowd and, in jocular vein, remarked: "I am very, very glad I have only one

At top. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and the Princess on their way to the Royal Chapel with the acting ADC, Prince John 'Uluvalu Tuku'aho bringing up the rear. Middle, the "knot is tied" by the Royal Chaplain, Dr Sione Amanaki Havea, and, below, Tongan girls dance for the guests.