The lord chamberlain, Noble Fielakepa, in a lengthy statement also defended the 60-year-old bachelor king saying the international media “trivialized, sensationalized or stereotyped” him.
“There has been plenty of this kind of journalism in the lead up to King George’s coronation. The real man gets lost in the headlines and the coverage,” Fielakepa said.
Under Tonga’s political system the monarch has had near absolute power and has over the last 20 years resisted growing democracy calls.
Fielakepa’s statement said that when George Tupou is crowned later this week he “is voluntarily surrendering his powers to meet the democratic aspirations of many of his people.”
He added, “They see Tonga’s royal heritage as integral to the country’s culture and identity, but favor a more representative, elected parliament. The king agrees with them.”
The king had felt for a long time that Tonga’s political system was not evolving quickly enough and that it should keep pace with the diversifying of the economy.
He claimed that when the present king was crown prince he had “privately urged” his father to liberalize cabinet appointments.
With his own reign the new king will now be guided by the recommendations of the prime minister of the day in all matters of governance, with the exception of the monarch’s judicial power.
“Consistent with his new definition of monarchical duty and conduct, the king is strictly impartial when he has to meet with ministers and members of parliament,” Fielakepa said.
“He does not now make personal statements on political issues and usually refuses requests for media interviews,” he added.
Some of the functions of the Privy Council, which is chaired by the king and includes cabinet, will in future be ceded to just the cabinet.
“His Majesty wishes to ensure that the monarchy is fully prepared for elections in 2010 under a revised voting system granting the majority voice in Parliament to the people,” Fielakepa said.
He added that the king is known for his “individuality, formidable intellect and learning,” something overlooked by the news media.
“Many articles about him tend to be trivialized, sensationalized or stereotyped and marked by misinformation and error,” Fielakepa said.
