In his capacity as His Majesty’s Hon Consul-General of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, Mr Anthony Bailey has consular responsibility for the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
In December 2025 he visited the island and during his time in Funchal attended Mass at the historic Cathedral of Funchal and visited a number of the region’s important historic and cultural landmarks. His visit also coincided with at a time when the island prepared for its legendary New Year’s Eve celebrations – among the most celebrated in Portugal.
Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000 kilometres southwest of mainland Portugal. Settled by Portuguese navigators in the early 15th century, the archipelago today has a population of around 250,000 people, with its capital city in Funchal on the main island of Madeira.
The region also includes the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, located some 40 kilometres to the northeast. Porto Santo has a population of around 5,500 people and its principal town and administrative centre is Vila Baleira. The island is particularly known for its long golden sandy beach and tranquil atmosphere, complementing Madeira’s dramatic volcanic landscapes and historic urban centre.
Mr Bailey is keen to continue developing closer ties between Madeira and Porto Santo, its sister island, and the islands of the Kingdom of Tonga, and looks forward to returning again soon.