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5:00AM Monday July 28, 2008 By Angela Gregory Tongans are praying for fine weather on Friday when King George Tupou V will be formally crowned as their monarch. At services around the Pacific country yesterday church leaders asked their congregations to pray that all would go well for the occasion, the first coronation in many Tongans' lifetime. The last coronation was in 1967 for King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who died aged 88 in Auckland nearly two years ago. His eldest son, Prince Tupou V, would have been crowned last year but for riots in November 2006 which destroyed much of downtown Nuku'alofa, and destabilised the country which was dealing with heightened demands for democracy. But this week Tongans are in a positive mood, putting aside any political dissatisfaction to celebrate their unique and treasured blend of British... [read full story]
