King of Tonga’s nieces marry two commoners this month it has been revealed. Hon Sālote Lupepauʻu Salamasina Pureau Vahine Arii ‘o e Hau Tuita will marry his fiancé ‘Epeli Taione next week.
Hon Frederica Lupe ‘Uluiva Fatafehi ‘o Lapaha Tuita will wed Johnny Filipe this week.
The fuifuilupe – a metaphoric language used when addressing royal children meaning, ‘flock of dove’ are both Princess Pilolevu’s daughters. Hon Lupepau’u is the eldest and Hon Frederica is second to the youngest.
Princess Pilolevu is King Tupou VI’s only sister.
Both wedding have caused surprise within Tongan circles considering the protocol and how they bypassed strict rules that control royal families and who they can marry.
Traditionally, it was not normal for a high ranking royal woman to marry a commoner or a much lower ranking chief.
Hon. Lupepau’u is sixth and Hon Frederica is tenth in line to the Tongan throne.
Last year Prince Tupouto’a’s wedding with his cousin Princess Sinaitakala Fakafanua triggered huge debates on overseas news and social media over the close genetic ties between the couple.
Princess Pilolevu and the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho reportedly stated it was time to do away with Tongan royal’s ‘arranged high level marriages’ that allows cousin to marry cousin.
The princess and her mother eventually did not attend the wedding ceremony citing ‘disapprove of the paring’.
Hon Frederica’s wedding has been publicly announced. The fakalēlea – visit by the bridegroom’s families to the bride’s house normally on the night before the wedding was held last week at Tuita’s residence Mahina Fekite.
The news about Hon Lupepau’u’s wedding has been floating around the social media but Kaniva news was only able to get the confirmation recently from a reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The source said Taione and Hon Lupepau’u will be “getting married next week in Fiji on Saturday the 17th. It’s a private affair for (their) inner circle which close friends and families only. It’s in an island resort in Fiji”
Hon Lupepau’u previously married Hon Mataʻiʻulua Fusituʻa and they had a daughter, Hon Phaedra ʻIkaleti ʻo Fangatapu Fusituʻa.
‘Epeli Taione is an ex-‘Ikale Tahi rugby star and is currently Tonga Rugby Union’s president.
Johnny Filipe’s father is a well-known business man in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
