Winner of Miss Heilala Racheal Guttenbeil has reignited pride in Tonga’s emancipation legacy, posing in a striking red-and-white sarong, the nation’s colours, on Emancipation Day on Monday, June 2.
The colours, significant in Tonga’s history of liberation, symbolise the blood of Jesus, represented by red, and peace, represented by white, embodying faith and freedom.
“Emancipation Day in Tonga is celebrated on June 4th each year,” Guttenbeil wrote on Facebook alongside the photos, showcasing the colours first enshrined by King George Tupou I during his groundbreaking 19th-century reforms.
The monarch, known as the Founder of Modern Tonga, abolished the feudal system that bound commoners as virtual slaves to chiefs, cementing the colours as emblems of unity and independence.
King George Tupou I enshrined the abolition in his 1862 Code of Laws and formally declared it a public holiday.
Miss Guttenbeil said: “It is a significant event that commemorates the freedom and rights of the Tongan people.”
“Happy Holidays everyone. What a great day to be celebrating it at one of the beautiful islands in Tonga.”
In one of her photos, Guttenbeil poses with a keleʻa, a conch shell traditionally blown to herald significant events.
Miss Guttenbeil was crowned Miss Heilala 2024-2025 and secured second place in the prestigious Miss Pacific Islands 2024-2025 pageant.
Tonga Tourism describes the Miss Heilala title as far more than a beauty crown—it represents “a role model, an ambassador, and a symbol of the strength and grace of Tongan women.”
