George Tupou V, the King of Tonga and the man who introduced democracy to the South Pacific archipelago after riots following his ascension in 2006, died in a Hong Kong hospital yesterday.
His younger brother, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka, heir to the throne, was with him when he died, aged 63.
On ascending the throne, the Oxford-educated king said he would relinquish most of his power in the last Polynesian monarchy and be guided by his prime minister’s recommendations on most matters.
The first direct elections were held in November 2010 after 165 years of feudal rule.
Tonga, which comprises 170 islands, has a population of about 100,000 and lies south of Samoa, about 1,320 miles (2,120 km) northeast of New Zealand.
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The king was known for eccentricities such as being driven around in a London taxi.