Thousands of Tongans have lined the road on Tongatapu as the funeral procession of the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV passed on its way to the Royal palace.
The King's body has been returned by the Royal New Zealand Air Force from Auckland to Tonga where he will lie in State for five days.
Thousands gathered at the airport to welcome the king before the funeral procession left following a prayer by the Royal Chaplain, Dr 'Alifeleti Mone.
Our correspondent in Tonga, Mateni Tapueluelu says massive crowds wearing black and funeral ta'ovala converged to watch the procession in a solemn atmosphere.
"Students both of secondary and primary schools lined up both on the sides of the roads some twenty three miles all the way from the airport to Nuku'alofa, sitting down, facing down quietly as the royal casket passed by slowly. Thousands of people were watching, lamenting that the King has finally passed away."
