Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu undertook a six-day State Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1 to 6 November 2026, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, who attended upon Their Majesties as Minister for HM Diplomatic Services and Minister for HM Armed Forces.
The State Visit commemorated two significant milestones in relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and Germany: the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship concluded on 1 November 1876 and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976.
Royal Engagements in Germany
On 6 November 2026, HM King Tupou VI was received by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with full military honours at the historic Bendlerblock, headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Defence in Berlin.
On 4 November 2026, Their Majesties visited the German Bundestag at the Reichstag building, where they were received by its President, Julia Klöckner.
Queen Nanasipauʻu also visited the Berlin Wall Memorial on 6 November 2026, where Her Majesty was welcomed by its Director, Professor Axel Klausmeier, and learned about Germany’s division and the history of the Berlin Wall.
150 Years of Friendship
The historic Treaty of Friendship of 1 November 1876 was concluded between King George Tupou I of Tonga and Emperor Wilhelm I Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia. Signed by their authorised representatives aboard the German imperial warship SMS Hertha in Nukuʻalofa harbour, the treaty established a framework for peaceful relations, commerce and mutual protection of nationals.
Concluded one year after the promulgation of Tonga’s Constitution in 1875, the treaty formed part of King George Tupou I’s efforts to secure international recognition of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and independence.
Formal diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany were established in 1976 and further strengthened by the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation, which entered into force on 2 January 1978.
The relationship has been maintained through high-level exchanges. In November 1979, Their late Majesties King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho undertook a State Visit to West Germany, where they were received by Federal President Karl Carstens.
In September 2016, the President of the German Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, visited Tonga to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship.
More recently, Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, visited Tonga in February 2026, meeting Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua and senior Tongan representatives. The visit reaffirmed Germany’s growing engagement with Tonga and the wider Pacific region.
Joint Declaration and Bilateral Cooperation
On 3 November 2026, Germany and Tonga issued a Joint Declaration reaffirming their longstanding friendship and outlining priorities for closer cooperation in diplomacy, education, cultural exchanges, climate resilience and international affairs.
The declaration welcomed the recent concurrent accreditation of Tonga’s Ambassador in. Britain to Germany and identified opportunities to strengthen cultural and educational partnerships.
Germany also confirmed that it had earmarked €5 million for the Pacific Resilience Facility, headquartered in Tonga, alongside continued support for climate adaptation, ecosystem protection and cooperation through the Pacific Islands Forum.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to international law, the United Nations and multilateral cooperation, including addressing the challenges posed by climate change and rising sea levels to Pacific island nations.
The State Visit represented an important milestone in Tonga’s relationship with Germany, commemorating 150 years of friendship while strengthening cooperation on contemporary diplomatic, environmental and international priorities.
Official Sources and Photographs
- German Federal Foreign Office – Joint Declaration, 3 November 2026
- German Bundestag – Royal Reception, 4 November 2026
- Berlin Wall Memorial – Queen Nanasipauʻu’s Visit, 6 November 2026
- Tongan Palace Office – State Visit and Anniversaries
- Tongan Prime Minister’s Office – German Foreign Minister’s Visit, February 2026
- Original Treaty of Friendship of 1876
- Lusa Photo Archive – King Tupou VI in Berlin, 6 November 2026
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