The casket carrying the body of King George Tupou V is draped in the Tongan royal standard upon its arrival at Fua'amotu International Airport on March 26, 2012, as members of the royal family wearing ta'ovala waistmats look on. The 63-year-old king died unexpectedly in Hong Kong on March 18.
The casket carrying the body of King George Tupou V is loaded into the royal hearse by the royal guard upon its arrival at Fua'amotu International Airport on March 26, 2012. The Oxford-educated bachelor king is credited with bringing democracy to the archipelago.
Tongans line the viewing deck draped in the black and purple of mourning to watch the casket carrying the body of King George Tupou V arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport on March 26, 2012, from Hong Kong.
Students from Queen Salote Boarding School wait by a portrait of King George Tupou V for his casket to arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport on March 26, 2012.
Tongan elders bow in respect at the entrance to the throne room of the Royal Palace where the body of King George Tupou V lies in state in the capital Nuku'alofa on March 26, 2012.
School children bow their heads in respect as the black and gold catafalque carrying the casket of King George Tupou V is conveyed by the bearer party from the Royal Palace to Mala'ekula (The Royal Tombs) during the king's funeral procession through the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
The casket of King George Tupou V at Mala'ekula (The Royal Tombs) is removed by the bearer party from black and gold catafalque for entombment in the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
Tongan women mourn the loss of King George Tupou V during the royal funeral procession through the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
School children bow their heads in respect as the black and gold catafalque carrying the casket of King George Tupou V is conveyed by the bearer party from the Royal Palace to Mala'ekula (The Royal Tombs) during the king's funeral procession through the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
The royal standard-draped casket of King George Tupou V is conveyed by the bearer party from the Royal Palace on a black and gold catafalque during the king's funeral procession through the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
The late King George Tupou V is carried to the Royal Tomb during the State Funeral at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The funeral service mixed Tongan ritual with the Christian hymns, readings, and prayers.
School children bow their heads in respect along a road paved with tapa cloth (painted mulberry bark) after the arrival of King George Tupou V's body at the Mala'ekula (The Royal Tombs) following the king's funeral procession through the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
King Tupou VI, center, follows the funeral procession of his elder brother, King George Tupou V, with Queen Nanasipau'u, left, to the Mala'ekula (The Royal Tombs) in the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
School children follow the funeral procession of King George Tupou V to the Mala'ekula (The Royal Tombs) in the capital Nuku'alofa on March 27, 2012.
The late King George Tupou V lies in State during the funeral at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. King George died in Hong Kong on March 18 after six years as the King.
The late King George Tupou V is carried to the Royal Tomb at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
The military lead the procession during the State Funeral held for King George Tupou V at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
Mourners arrive for the State Funeral held for King George Tupou V at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
School girls line the pathway to the Royal Tomb during the State Funeral held for King George Tupou V at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
A young girl walks along the road made made for the procession before the State Funeral held for King George Tupou V at Mala'ekula on March 27, 2012, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.