Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu of the Kingdom of Tonga, known as Her Royal Highness, has passed away at the age of 75. She was the cousin of King Tupou VI and the eldest daughter of the late Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake and Princess Melen’aite. Surrounded by her family and loved ones, she died on May 28 at Auckland Hospital.
The body of Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu has arrived in Tonga. A solemn procession carried her coffin from Fua’amotu Airport to the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa. The streets were closed, and school students lined the sidewalks, silently paying their respects. On Saturday, a state funeral will be held to honor the late Princess, and she will be laid to rest in the Royal Tombs of Mala’ekula.
Princess Siu’ilikutapu holds a significant place in Tongan history as the first-ever female elected as a Member of Parliament. She served as a People’s Representative from 1975 to 1978, making her mark in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. Matangi Tonga Online reported this milestone in her political career.
The details of her funeral are yet to be announced. Notably, Princess Siu’ilikutapu played a prominent role as one of the keynote speakers at the New Zealand Dawn Raid Apology in 2021, where she represented the voices of Tongans and Pacific people affected by past government policies. She denounced the racist and unjust nature of the immigration policies during the dawn raids era, expressing gratitude for the government’s apology.
Princess Siu’ilikutapu recognized that her community had been on the wrong side of the law, but she emphasized that it did not justify the raids. She viewed the apology as a step in the right direction towards healing and building better relationships between the government and the Pacific peoples. Her heartfelt words resonated with many.
Remembered with great fondness, Princess Siu’ilikutapu held a special place in the hearts of the people of Tonga. She was known for her accessibility and closeness to the common people, making her loss deeply felt. Throughout her life, she remained dedicated to advocating for women’s rights and empowerment, both within the home and in government and politics. Her devotion to the cause was evident, particularly in her involvement in founding the Women’s Christian Fellowship in New Zealand and Tonga.
