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Tonga's king to be laid to rest Tonga's king to be laid to rest
(about 3 hours later)
The funeral of Tonga's King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV is set to take place on the Pacific island. The funeral of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV is taking place in the Pacific island nation of Tonga.
Thousands took part in overnight prayer vigils around the royal palace in the capital, Nuku'alofa, where the king's body is lying in state. The funeral in the capital, Nuku'alofa combines Christian and traditional Pagan rites.
Schoolchildren have swept the streets, and mourners from the country's 170 islands have visited the palace to pay their last respects. It is being attended by representatives from 30 foreign countries, among them Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark.
King Tupou's funeral will combine both traditional Tongan and Christian rites. The king, who died last week aged 88, ruled Tonga for 41 years. Official mourning continues until mid-October.
Tuesday has been declared a national holiday in Tonga.Tuesday has been declared a national holiday in Tonga.
King Tupou died a week ago in a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. He was 88 and had ruled the country for four decades. A thousand men in traditional Tongan dress will carry the king's coffin on a huge platform the short distance from his palace to the traditional royal burial ground.
Thousands took part in overnight prayer vigils around the royal palace, where the king's body lay in state.
Mourners from the country's 170 islands have visited the palace to pay their last respects.
King Tupou died in a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.