During September 2026, the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of Tonga in Portugal participated in a series of diplomatic, civic and cultural events in Lisbon and the Alentejo, maintaining contact with the diplomatic community, Portuguese institutions and local communities.
On 18 September 2026, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, attended a ceremony in the Salão Nobre of the Paços do Concelho, Lisbon City Hall, at which Francisco de Mendia was presented with the Medalha Municipal de Mérito Cultural by the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas.
The Municipal Medal of Cultural Merit is one of Lisbon’s official civic distinctions and recognises contributions to the cultural life, heritage and history of the Portuguese capital. Francisco de Mendia was recognised for his longstanding contribution to Lisbon, including his work as Provedor of the historic Real Irmandade de Santa Cruz e Passos da Graça and his role in preserving the centuries-old Procissão do Senhor dos Passos da Graça.
The Real Irmandade also has a connection with the Consul-General and his family, with both Comendador Anthony Bailey and his son Maximilian being members of the Royal Brotherhood. Francisco de Mendia also offered help and advice to young Tongan pilgrims who travelled to Portugal for World Youth Day Lisbon 2023, many of whom were visiting the country for the first time.
The ceremony was attended by Francisco’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as HRH The Duke of Braganza and his sons, HRH Dom Afonso fr Braganza, Prince of Beira, and HH Infante Dom Dinis de Braganza, Duke of Porto and his Austrian fiancée, Countess Anna Schaffgotsch von und zu Kynast und Greiffenstein, Baroness of Trachenberg.
On 19 and 20 September 2026, the Consul-General travelled to Alvalade, in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém, to attend Alvalade Medieval and meet members of the local community, including the President of the Junta de Freguesia de Alvalade.
The 2026 festival, held under the theme Da Maleita à Cura, commemorated the granting of Alvalade’s Foral by King Manuel I on 20 September 1510 and explored the history of the town and its former Hospital do Espírito Santo. The highly enjoyable and immersive programme included historical processions, equestrian displays and tournaments, music, dance, traditional crafts and historical recreations.
On 25 September 2026, the Consul-General attended a reception in Lisbon marking the 96th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,hosted by HE Ali Al-Yousef together with representatives of the Portuguese authorities and diplomatic corps.
The Kingdom of Tonga and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in December 2020. Relations have since included high-level contacts and discussions on development, environmental and climate issues, including Saudi participation at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Nukuʻalofa in 2024.
On 28 September 2026, the Consul-General attended a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, hosted by H.E. Yang Yirui, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic.
Tonga and China established diplomatic relations on 2 November 1998 and maintain resident embassies in each other’s capitals. Bilateral relations encompass political, economic, development, educational and cultural cooperation. HM King Tupou VI undertook a State Visit to China in March 2018.
The Consul-General also has a longstanding personal connection with China, having first visited the country in 1999 and most recently in 2024.
On 29 September 2026, the Consul-General attended a celebration of the National Day of the Principality of Andorra hosted by H.E. Olga Gelabert Fàbrega, Ambassador of the Principality of Andorra to Portugal, at the Altis Grand Hotel in Lisbon.
The programme included a concert by young Andorran artists Eugènia Correia and Kic Barroc, followed by a dinner cocktail.
Andorra and Tonga also share links through multilateral diplomacy, with Andorra among the countries sponsoring the resolution recommending Tonga’s admission to membership of the United Nations in 1999.
The Consul-General’s own association with Andorra extends over three decades, beginning with his first visit to the Principality in 1995 and most recently with a visit in 2025.
These engagements formed part of the Consulate-General’s continuing diplomatic, civic and cultural activities in Portugal and its work to develop Tonga’s relations with countries represented in Portugal.
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His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services
Tonga High Commission in London
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