22 Mar 2012

Funeral for Tonga's King George Tupou V may now be a day earlier

11:09 am on 22 March 2012

The funeral for Tonga's King George Tupou V may now be held on Tuesday, rather than Wednesday, as had been announced.

Matangi Tonga reports the new King, Tupou VI, wants the late King George to be buried a day earlier.

Lord Vaea, the chairman of the Cabinet Committee organising the funeral, says because of the late preference by King Tupou VI an exact date for the burial of King George will be confirmed later in the week.

The body of the late king is still expected to arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport from Hong Kong on Monday morning.

Paula Ma'u, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communication says the Governor General of Australia has confirmed her attendance at the state funeral.