Tuesday 27 Mar 2012, after multiple taskings as drivers and official escorts for dignatries the entire DCP staff ended up attending the funeral and with more front than Myers we also ended up in the VVIP seating area. Nothing beats front row seats to official functions. Guests flew in from all around the world we had seats next to the Maori King and other ministers of the NZ parliment, Governor Generals and DA's from around the world to name a few, this will definitely be another once in a lifetime experience as a CPO in the Navy. The event was a 0930 to 1500 event but the official section didn't kick off till 1130am.
Dave and I wore full dress uniform while the girls wore all Black.
The official care takers resting under the trees in the royal tomb grounds.
Initially we were seated with the Tongan's but were quickly wisked away to the VVIP tent.
Our new spot was right next to the royal family and guests.
Queen Salote's tomb.
The school children lining the entrance way with Tapa mats for the Kings casket to be carried over.
Laying of the Tapa. It just kept on coming.
Once layed the kids lined the mats the entire length from the royal palace 2 blocks away.
The DCP staff meeting the Australian Defence representative, Chief of the Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Brown.
Once the NZ plane arrived the seating was at a premium.
The last official function for these seats. Luckily we purchased a set last year.
The Governor General of Australia Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce sat with the royal family.
The Tongan Defence Services Guard proceeded the Kings Casket on the Catafalque.
The Catafalque passing us on it's way to the tomb.
The royal family following behind.
What is impressive is that the Catafalque weighs over 7.5 ton and is carried by approx 100 past students of Tupou college. Sal and Sia are in amongst these guys. Each person is expected to carry between 40-45kgs all the way from the palace (approx 1km) to the tombs with no padding either. Incredible!!
The Catafalque is put in it's final resting place.
The royal family return to their seats.
The Royal Standard.
Sermon given by the Royal chaplain.
The members of the Royal guard remove the Kings sword and Cap from the casket.
The Royal guard flag party folding the Royal Standard.
The Kings belongings are returned to the Royal family.
The Bearer party conveys the Royal Casket from the Cataflaque to the Traditional caretakers.
The bearers moving the body to the tomb.
The body is lowered into the tomb.
The casket is finally lowered to the traditional caretakers in the tomb below for the entrobment rites.
In the old days the people who touched the Kings body during funeral preparation would have their hands cut off because they had touched the late King. Now days they are not allowed to touch anything until the mourning period is over. But if you thought they had it bad the 10 traditional caretakers were actually burried alive with the Kings body and a flame would be lit outside the tomb and each day they would knock on the tomb wall and when there was no more replies the flame would be extinguished, apparently this is the significance in the 10 days of mourning. Again no longer practiced.
The Australian High Commissioner and GG departing.
Some of the Lords and Nobles of the Rhealm.
Jodie and I inside the Royal tomb grounds. This is as close as us Palangi's (non Tongan's) are allowed.
The wreaths laid by the school students.
The caretakers begining to decorate the tomb.
The caretakers fill the tomb with coral sand, by hand.
The main entrance to the Royal tombs.
Jodie and Rochelle outside the main entrance.
The Fineanganofo family coming to support Sal during his big lift of the Catafalque.
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