This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5358594.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tonga's king to be laid to rest Tonga's late king laid to rest
(about 3 hours later)
The funeral of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV is taking place in the Pacific island nation of Tonga. Thousands of Tongans have attended the funeral of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, who died last week at the age of 88.
The funeral in the capital, Nuku'alofa combines Christian and traditional Pagan rites. The ceremony in the capital, Nuku'alofa, combined Christian and traditional rituals.
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. Representatives from 30 foreign countries watched as the late king's coffin was carried by 1,000 men to the official royal burial ground.
The king, who died last week aged 88, ruled Tonga for 41 years. Official mourning continues until mid-October. King Tupou IV ruled the Pacific nation for more than four decades, and was much loved by his people.
Tuesday has been declared a national holiday in Tonga. But his death is likely to fuel calls for greater reform.
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. Nuku'alofa came to a standstill as the people of Tonga said goodbye to their revered leader.
Thousands took part in overnight prayer vigils around the royal palace, where the king's body lay in state. Buildings, roadsides and palm trees were covered in the customary black and purple mourning cloth.
Mourners from the country's 170 islands have visited the palace to pay their last respects. For the past week, a constant stream of people has filed past the royal family's seaside palace, leaving flowers and other gifts for the king's widow. Thousands have also taken part in overnight prayer vigils.
King Tupou died in a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Long illness
On Tuesday morning, amid cannon fire, the coffin was carried out of the palace by an army of Tongan men in traditional dress.
They were joined by dignitaries from dozens of countries. Among them were Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester from the UK.
The prime ministers of New Zealand and Fiji, Helen Clark and Laisenia Qarase, also paid their respects.
King Tupou IV died last week in a hospital in Auckland, after a long illness.
His death is being marked by a month of official mourning, although the royal family will observe a six-month mourning period.
The late king will be succeeded by his son, Tupou V, who will be officially crowned when mourning comes to an end.
The new king is likely to face mounting pressure to introduce social reform.
Last year, thousands of Tongans took part in unprecedented demonstrations to demand greater democracy and public ownership of key national assets.