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
The Queen celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Poppy Factory at Clarence House
15 February 2024A message from His Majesty The King to Grenada marking their 50th year of Independence
On the occasion of the fiftieth Anniversary of the Independence of Grenada, it gives me great pleasure to send you all my congratulations and warmest good wishes.
The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the volunteer team at The Lighthouse in Woking.
02 February 2024The Queen opened Maggie's new cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital
01 February 2024A message from His Majesty The King for the launch of Big Help Out 2024
I have long believed that one of the greatest strengths of our nation is our ability to come together and help each other through times of hardship. Throughout my life, I have...
The Queen hosts authors and illustrators of the new Modern-Day Miniature Library
30 January 2024The Queen's Introduction to Queen Mary's Dolls' House's Modern-Day Miniature Library
It has continued to enchant generations of children and adults who come to marvel at its perfect proportions, extraordinary attention to detail and, perhaps above all, the...
A message from His Majesty The King to Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark
I look forward to working with you on ensuring that the enduring bond between our countries, and our families, remains strong, and to working together with you on issues which...
The King's Christmas Broadcast 2023
And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the World, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.
The King and Faith
A speech by His Majesty The King at the opening of COP28, Dubai, U.A.E
Change will come by working together and making it easier to embrace decisions that will sustain our world, rather than carry on as though there are no limits – or as though...