Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
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His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (born July 4, 1918) has been the king of Tonga since the death of his mother Salote Tupou III in 1965. As Crown Prince he was known as Siaosi Taufa'ahau Tupoulahi. His consort is Queen Halaevalu, born in 1926.
A keen sportsman and religious preacher in his youth, he studied law in Australia and was appointed Minister of Education by Queen Salote in 1943, Minister of Health in 1944, and in 1949, Premier. He remains a lay preacher of the Free Wesleyan Church, and in some circumstances is empowered to appoint an acting church president.
He wields great political authority and influence in Tonga's essentially aristocratic system of government, together with the country's nobles, who control 70% of the Tongan Parliament, however his involvement in an investment scandal involving his appointed court jester has in recent years embroiled the King in controversy, and led to calls for greater government transparency and democratisation.
| Preceded by: Salote Tupou III | King of Tonga | Succeeded by: Crown Prince Sia'osi Taufa'ahau Manumata'ogo Tuku'aho Tupou |
External links
- Tongan King dedicates West Valley church (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0%2C1249%2C595081156%2C00.html)
- Recent Visit of HM King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV to Hong Kong (http://www.matangitonga.to/article/PRC271004.shtml)
- Chinese President Hu Jintao Meets with Tongan King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/xw/t166067.htm)
- The 1993 Silver Jubilee of Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (http://www.speedysnail.com/pacific/siupeli/)de:Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.
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