King George's coronation party

30 July 2008

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Tonga's George Tupou V, who will be crowned king of the country later this week, is celebrating his coronation with a four-day party costing a staggering £1.6 million.

The party will be attended by celebrity guests including Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, Elle Macpherson and Sir Sean Connery.

During the four days of official ceremonies, the guests will enjoy an open-air concert, a set of expensive firework displays, a military parade and a rugby match between Tonga and the rest of the world.

respectful distance from his person

However, all the guests must stick to official protocols called 'tapu', and have to maintain a "respectful distance from his person", speak "with lowered voices" and "stoop deferentially" if approached by the new monarch.

The coronation of George Tupou has been delayed for two years due to the extraordinary expense of the occasion.

The English-born future George V is well known for his eccentricities, and is often seen being driven around his kingdom in the South Pacific by a 15-year-old bespoke London taxi, which he will also use to be transported to his coronation.

His coronation will be honoured by a £20,000 gold sceptre, which is being cast especially for the occasion.

There are so many guests attending the celebrations that they will be forced to stay on luxury yachts, as all accommodation on the island has already been reserved.

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