Lavish Tonga coronation robes revealed on stamps

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Lavish robes to be used in Friday's coronation of Tonga's King George Tupou V have been revealed in new postage stamps designed by a Wellington illustrator.

Tonga is spending  T$5 million (NZ$3 million) on the coronation of the aging bachelor, including NZ$570,000, for tailored robes from Gieves & Hawkes at 1 Savile Row in London's Mayfair.

By tradition such robes are trimmed with ermine which comes from winter stoats and is used as a symbol of purity or virginity.

Wellington designer Denise Durkin has produced designs for three stamps to be released on Friday.

The main stamp features the king in coronation robes but it is not clear whether they are the ones to be used on Friday, or his father's.

In another coronation move the king has created two new princess "who are to be addressed as Their Serene Highnesses as a mark of esteem", the Royal Palace says in a statement.

One of the new princess is Sitiveni 'Alaivahamama'o Polule'uligana Tanusia ma'a Tonga who has been appointed to the title of Tungi.

At the coronation he has been appointed Lord Bearer of the Crown

The other new prince, Tu'ipelehake, has been named "Lord Protector of the Royal Regalia".

The coronation festivities will last a week include three coronation balls; one for very very important people" (VVIPs), another for "very important people" and another for the common people.

Also on the programme will be a military parade, traditional dancing, a fireworks display, a high-level rugby match and an open-air concert.

Tonga has yet to release the guest list but known to be showing up are the Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.