Leaders gather for Tongan coronation

Updated August 1, 2008 14:53:04

Tonga's King Tupou V will be officially crowned on Friday. [AFP]

Tonga's King George Tupou V has officially been crowned as monarch of the Pacific Island Kingdom.

Our Pacific correspondent, Campbell Cooney, reports in the Free Wesleyan Centenary Church in Nuku'alofa, in front of government leaders and royalty from across the Pacific, Asia and Europe, King George was offically crowned the King of Tonga.

Historically Tonga's monarch has had complete control of all aspects of the government and everyday life, but last week King George agreed to give up many of those powers.

The island kingdom has been criticised for spending an estimated $US2.5 million on the coronation, including an estimated half a million dollars on ermine robes, while the majority of its people live in poverty.

Around 1,400 dignitaries are attending the coronation in Nuku'alofa including Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Britain's Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The western-style coronation follows an ancient Tongan ceremony held earlier this week, in which the 60-year-old monarch was invested with the title of paramount chief.