The King of Tonga, His Majesty King Tupou VI, was spotted by a surprised Tongan shopper in Pukekohe, New Zealand last week.
Photos uploaded to Facebook showed the king apparently checking out some goods in a shop.
One of the photos showed he was standing by the counter of a shop and was apparently talking to a shop keeper.
Kaniva News understands the 57 year-old monarch was in Auckland last week on his way to Singapore with his wife, Queen Nanasipau’u.
Reports on social media said a Tongan woman called Loumoli was shopping at one of the stores in the suburb when she was surprised to see the king.
“She nearly had a heart attack when she saw the King of Tonga in the shop, bought some books,” Tnews reported.
“I have never seen our King that close,” she said.
“[She] is sitting on sky nine at the moment and yes, I can feel it when she shared the news with me,” Tnews reported.
It reported that about 1200 Tongans live in Pukekohe.
It is unusual for the king to do shopping or appear at public for personal purpose as the government pays his servants to do these things for him.
The Tongan government’s budget for 2016/17 has allocated about $TP5 million as budget for the king’s expenses.
This includes paying for his drivers and servants who work for him in the palace and accompany him while he is overseas.
His Majesty met with Singapore authorities on Tuesday in a bid to obtain training assistance for Tongan health staff.
He visited Singapore with the Queen, the Health Minister and Director.
They were expected to return to Tonga through Auckland.
The main points
- The King of Tonga, His Majesty King Tupou VI, was spotted by a surprised Tongan shopper in Pukekohe, New Zealand last week.
- Reports on social media said a Tongan woman called Loumoli was shopping at one of the stores in the suburb when she was surprised to see the king.
- Photos uploaded to Facebook showed the king apparently was checking out goods in a shop.
- Kaniva News understands the 57 year-old monarch was in Auckland last week on his way to Singapore with his wife Queen Nanasipau’u.
