Crown of Tonga

The Crown of Tonga was made in 1873 for George Tupou I at the behest of his prime minister, The Reverend Shirley Waldemar Baker.^[1] The crown was fashioned by Hardy Brothers, an Australian jewellery firm.^[2] The gold crown of Tonga is reputedly the largest and heaviest crown in the world.^[3]

King Tupou VI wearing the Crown of Tonga following his coronation in 2015.

History

For some time, Tonga's independence had been threatened by France.^[4] Since 1872 the German Empire also posed a threat to Tonga's independence with threats of annexation.^[5] The King and Reverend Baker composed the Constitution of 1875, which is still in effect today.^[1] At this time, Tonga also adopted a national flag, a coat-of-arms and a national anthem.^[6]

The first king to be crowned with the historic crown was King George Tupou I, the great-grandson and successor Tupou. Tupou II was crowned on 17 March 1893.^[7] His daughter and successor Queen Sālote Tupou III was crowned on 11 October 1918.^[8] Queen Sālote was succeeded by her eldest son, who became King Tāufa'āhau Tupou IV. He was crowned on his 49th birthday, 4 July 1967. King Tāufa'āhau was succeeded by his eldest son, who became King George Tupou V. He was crowned on 1 August 2008. His younger brother and successor King Tupou VI was crowned on 4 July 2015.