All she was concerned about today was
the applause of her people as she and her husband were driven through
the streets of the Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa, in an open-topped car.
But behind the typically-colourful scenes of the national holiday following the ceremony was disagreement about the marriage.
His father, King George Tupou V, who
died in March this year, is said to have been against the marriage – the
first of a Crown Prince in 65 years.

He and his advisors believed the blood ties of the 27-year-old prince and his 25-year-old lover were too close. His bride, a former teacher, is 26th in line to the throne.

The
government and royal officials have long been against marriage between
cousins – as well as between royals and commoners – but Prince Tupouto’a
has told his advisers that love comes before protocol.