On 5 October 2026, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, attended the official ceremony in Lisbon marking the 116th anniversary of the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic on 5 October 1910.
The ceremony took place in Praça do Município, outside Lisbon City Hall. It was from the building’s balcony that José Relvas, a leading figure in the Portuguese republican movement, proclaimed the Republic on 5 October 1910, accompanied by fellow republican leaders, including Eusébio Leão. This historic connection gives the City Hall particular significance as the setting for the annual commemorations.
The ceremony was presided over by His Excellency António José Seguro, the 21st President of the Portuguese Republic who was elected to office in 2026. Also present were the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco; the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro; and the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas.
Members of the diplomatic and consular corps were invited to attend the commemorations, alongside senior Portuguese authorities and other distinguished guests.
The proceedings included military honours by the National Republican Guard and the ceremonial raising of the Portuguese national flag by President Seguro from the balcony of Lisbon City Hall, accompanied by the National Anthem. ThePresident of the Republic then delivered an address in Praça do Município following a welcome speech by Mayor of Lisbon-
In his address, Mayor Carlos Moedas reflected on the importance of maintaining citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions and warned against the dangers of indifference. He highlighted housing and security as areas in which the Republic must demonstrate its ability to respond to people’s needs.
Delivering his first address at these commemorations as Head of State, President António José Seguro emphasised freedom, equality, human dignity and the responsibility of the State to serve its citizens. He called for dialogue and lasting political agreements capable of delivering practical improvements in people’s lives, including in healthcare, education and housing, and stressed the importance of placing the collective interest above party differences.
The anniversary commemorates the republican revolution that replaced the monarchy which had governed Portugal for nearly 800 years under four successive dynasties: Burgundy, Aviz, Habsburg and Braganza. The last of these, the Royal House of Braganza, had held the Portuguese throne since 1640, reigning for nearly 270 years before the proclamation of the Republic and the exile to England of its last monarch, King Dom Manuel II who had reigned since 1908 following the assassination of his father King Carlos I and brother Crown Prince Luis Filipe.
The Hon Consul-General extended his warm congratulations to the Portuguese authorities and people present.
Tonga High Commission in London | His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services
