George Tupou V July 2008, a "Taumafa Kava" (Royal Kava Ring ceremony) was held on Malaʻe Pangai, the open space to the east of the Royal Palace. During the ceremony, Tupou V sat on a pile of handwoven "pandanus" mats in an open pavilion facing the sea, while more than 200 Tongan nobles and chiefs dressed in woven skirts and sea shells circled him. He wore the traditional Tongan "ta'ovala" (woven mat skirt) and a garland of flowers. During this ceremony, Tupou V was formally recognised as the "Tuʻi Kanokupolu", and the rightful descendent of King George Tupou I, who united Tonga in
King George V Coronation Medal to decide who would be awarded a medal and why. A total of 15,901 medals were awarded, including 286 to Australians. Recipients who were also eligible for the 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal received the Coronation medal only, and wore a crowned clasp inscribed on the ribbon. In addition, a Police Coronation Medal, of a different design and ribbon, was awarded to police officers on duty during the official Coronation celebrations. King George V Coronation Medal The King George V Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal instituted in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V, that took place on