King Tupou IV of Tonga, 88, Dies
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Nuku'alofa, Tonga (AHN) - King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of the Kingdom of Tonga, died Sunday at the Auckland Mercy Hospital where he had been receiving treatment since April. He was 88. A report by BBC said his son, Crown Prince Tupouta'a, was sworn in on Monday as the new king of the South Pacific island nation at a brief ceremony, although it could be at least a year before he receives a full coronation. New of the king's death, who has ruled the island nation for 41 years, plunged the people of Tonga into mourning as public buildings were draped in black and purple to pay their respect to the monarch. The king was well loved by his people, but observers said his death is expected to ignite calls for greater democracy. In a statement the government says, "The sun has set in the kingdom of Tonga." His body will remain in Auckland until Wednesday as arrangements were being made for him to lie in state. King Tupou IV assumed the crown in 1965 following the death of his mother, Queen Salote. He initiated reforms such as modernization of the country's educational system and infrastructure.
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