The Hon Consulate General of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, by decree of the Prime Minister, has lowered the national flag to half mast at the Consulate General in Sintra.
It has done so as a mark of respect following the passing on 28 May 2023 of HRH Princess Mele Siu’ilkutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, the Dowager Lady Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili and marking the official funeral held 3 June 2023 at the Royal Tombs, Mala’e Kula, in the country’s capital, Nuku’alofa.
After a Friday night vigil at the Royal Palace, the coffin was conveyed by the bearer party in a slow procession along Hala Tu’i to the Royal Tombs, led by 100 members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) and a Guard of Honour, followed by a combined brass band of HMAF and Tonga Police and church leaders.
HRH Princess Sālote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, the Princess Royal, and Lord Tuita, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and HRH Crown Princess Sinaitakala, HRH Prince Ata and HRH Princess ‘Ofeina ‘e he Langi Fakafanua, followed on foot behind the procession, together with other members of the Royal Family.
Students sitting and mourners lined the streets bowing their heads in respect as the Princess made the final journey to her resting place.
At the Royal Tombs, HM Queen Nanasipau’u and other members of the Royal Family were waiting, before the arrival of HM King Tupou VI.
Born on 12 May 1948, HRH Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu was the second of ten grandchildren of the late Queen Salote Tupou III.
She was the eldest daughter of HRH Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake and HRH Princess Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune. Her father was a younger brother of the late King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.
A first cousin of HM King Tupou VI, HRH Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu married the late Noble Kalaniuvalu Fotofili (Ngalumotutulu) and they had two sons: the late Hon. Tiofilusi Fatuilangi Ngalumotutulu and Hon. Tepiuti Tupoulahi Mailefihi.
Her late Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilkutapu was the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly in Tonga and was a People’s Representative from 1975 until 1978. Among her many roles, she was President of the Langafonua ‘a Fafine Tonga and the Pacific Women’s Christian Association. She had a strong Christian faith and joined numerous christian missions abroad, and had represented Tonga at various international conferences.
His Majesty’s Hon Consul General in Portugal, Mr Anthony Bailey said “I wish on behalf of the Tongan Hon Consultate General in Portugal to express my sincere condolences to Their Majesties The King & Queen, the Royal Family, and the Government of Tonga on the passing of Her Royal Highness the late Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili.
“Like so many others I had great admiration of Her late Royal Highness’s accomplishments and enjoyed meeting the Princess during my visits to Tonga. As the first woman elected to Parliament and her wider contribution to the nation she empowered many young women in Tonga and the Pacific region. She will be long remembered for her dedicated service to the Kingdom and mourned for a long time to come”.
