A first cousin of King Tupou VI, Princess Lavinia Mata ‘o Tāone Ma’afu, died in Auckland on Friday.
The Royal Palace Office has confirmed her death, local news media reported.
The cause of her death has not been formally announced.
Kaniva News has learnt through a number of sources very close to the royals that the Princess’ body is planned to be returned to Tonga this Friday.
Princess Tāone married to Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi and they had two children.
A son by the name of Hon Tēvita ‘Unga Lausi’i, and a daughter by the name of Hon Fangaake Veikune.
Princess Tāone’s father late Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake was the young brother of King Tupou VI’s late father King Tupou IV.
Her eldest sisters were Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu, Princess ‘Ofeina ‘E he Langi Fakafanua and late Princess ‘Elisiva Vaha’i.
Her two brothers were late Prince Mailefihi and late Prince Tu’ipelehake.
