Tonga Residents Mourn The Loss Of Their Beloved King
Maira Oliveira - All Headline News Reporter Nuku 'alofa, Tonga (BANG) - It's been a sad week for Tonga locals. The country is mourning the death of their much-loved King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. The royal - who is officially the world's heaviest monarch - passed away on Sunday, aged 88, at a hospital in New Zealand. As a mark of respect, all public buildings in the country have been draped in black and purple. The monarch - who reined for 41 years - achieved worldwide fame after he made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 1976 as the world's heaviest monarch. At his biggest, Tupou weighed in at a whopping 419lbs, however, he slimed down significantly in the 90s when he tried to pioneer a new health regime across Tonga. In his youth, the king was a successful athlete and excelled at tennis, cricket and rugby. However, he became obese in later life, in keeping with the country's obsession with full figures. In Tonga being thin is looked upon as "working class" and "unhealthy." Traditionally Tongans hold week-long eating festivals, where they consume calorific dishes like lamb flap or lamb belly.
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