A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a Formal Banquet hosted by His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u
Published
Coming to Tonga I feel very much as though I am coming to visit an extended family.
Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests. Mālō e lelei.
My wife and I are incredibly honoured to be your guests at this very special occasion in such a magical setting.
Coming to Tonga I feel very much as though I am coming to visit an extended family.
My grandparents have visited a number of times and Your Majesties have been frequent visitors to see my family over the years. We have a strong bond as members of the Commonwealth; we share so much history - and common values.
Tongan soldiers served with our allies during the First and Second World Wars and later independently to offer support in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Tongan hospitality is world renowned; your islands are stunningly beautiful offering tourists rugged coastlines, humpback whales and coral reefs.
Tonga's sporting prowess is legendary; you are formidable on the rugby pitch , and you were the first Pacific island nation to win a medal at the Olympics! Is there no end to your talents?
Tongan artists such as Uili Lousi are winning international awards and your magnificent artefacts were a highlight at the recent Oceania exhibition in London, which my wife enjoyed very much when she opened it.
For a small population you have a very large presence on the world stage - a product of your talent and drive. We are both so looking forward to meeting many of you tomorrow- learning more about your culture and development as a strong and independent country.
We are excited to visit Tonga’s dedication to The Queen's Commonwealth canopy; and are thankful for this country’s wider commitment to the environment by safeguarding the oceans and tackling climate change.
We are also pleased that our visit comes at a time when the British Government is reopening its High Commission here, which will lead to far more opportunities for collaboration between our two countries in the future.
We are deeply grateful to you all for welcoming Meghan and me to Tongatapu and to Your Majesties for making us feel at home here.
I would like to end by reading a special message from my grandmother The Queen
Your Majesties, it gives me great pleasure that my grandson and his wife are visiting The Kingdom of Tonga. Our two families have enjoyed a deep and warm friendship over many years, and I hope that our close relationship continues with the next generation.
To this day, I remember with fondness Queen Salote's attendance at my own Coronation, while Prince Philip and I have cherished memories from our three wonderful visits to your country in 1953, 1970 and 1977.
In the months and years ahead, I wish Your Majesties and the people of Tonga every good fortune and happiness.
Mālō ‘aupito.
Related content
An Open Letter from The Duchess of Cambridge to Midwives
The Countess of Wessex's speech at the Sovereign's Parade, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
As you climb each step think of the thousands of officers who have gone before you; those who fought and survived, those who fought and died in the many campaigns since...
A message from Her Majesty The Queen following the Terror Attacks at London Bridge
Prince Philip and I have been saddened to hear of the terror attacks at London Bridge. We send our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved...
The Duke of Cambridge visits Kuwait and Oman
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Conservation Awards
My generation and those following are acutely aware that we cannot simply carry on as we are.
The Queen's speech on awarding Sir David Attenborough the Chatham House Prize
Your ability to communicate the beauty and vulnerability of our natural environment remains unequalled
Remarks by HRH The Prince of Wales at Waitangi, New Zealand
New Zealand has faced up to the most painful periods of her past in a way that offers an example to the world. She has done so with courage, compassion and tolerance –...
A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the OnSide Awards at the Royal Albert Hall
It’s because of all of your efforts that 50,000 young people are getting access to such amazing experiences every single year.
A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the opening of The Nook Children’s Hospice, Norfolk
Thank you, John. It is wonderful to be here today to open The Nook Hospice. And a huge congratulations to everyone here involved. The Nook is a realisation of a vision that...
A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the opening of The Nook Children’s Hospice, Norfolk
Your hugely dedicated and talented team are at the core of this success and I wanted especially today to thank you
A speech by The Countess of Wessex at the 100 Women in Finance 18th Annual New York Gala
I invite you all to become more visible, to be great examples to young women and, if you aren't already, to become champions and mentors.
The Duke of Gloucester presents The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in Surrey
12 November 2019A speech by The Duke of Cambridge the Centrepoint 50th Anniversary Gala
It might seem an odd thing to say at a milestone event such as this, but I hope that Centrepoint will not need to be around in another 50 years.
The Duke of Cambridge marks 50 years of Centrepoint
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the London's Air Ambulance Charity gala
The trauma teams working with London’s Air Ambulance are world class.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust
Whenever and wherever disaster strikes here in the UK, this country has a unique way of pulling together.
A message from Her Majesty The Queen to the England Rugby Team
#GardenGram: a unique perspective of the Buckingham Palace Garden on Instagram
01 November 2019A speech by The Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2019
Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s a huge pleasure to welcome you to Buckingham Palace today. Queen Victoria, my husband’s great-great-great-grandmother, was the first British...
A message from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to The President of Pakistan
A speech by The Countess of Wessex celebrating the work of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust
On behalf of the people The Trust has helped thank you to each and every one of you for all your incredible support, and to Your Majesty thank you for choosing to give the...