Order of the Crown of Tonga Order of the Crown of Tonga The Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga ("Tongan: Fakalangilangi 'o Kalauni 'o Tonga") is an Order of Merit awarded for exceptional services to Tonga and the Crown of Tonga. It was established 16 April 1913 by George Tupou II to reward those who distinguished themselves by exceptional services to the State and the Crown. It was reorganized on 31 July 2008 by King George Tupou V, in particular relatively to all the classes of merit. It can be awarded to militaries and civilians, native of Tonga or foreigner, without distinction of religion. The
Monarchies in Oceania July 2008, three days before his coronation, King George Tupou V announced that he would relinquish most of his power and be guided by his Prime Minister's recommendations on most matters. The current monarch is Tupou VI. The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesian people. The islands came under the UK's sphere of influence in the late 19th century. The Ellice Islands were administered by Britain as part of a protectorate from 1892 to 1916 and as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony from 1916 to 1974. In 1974 the Ellice Islanders voted for separate British dependency status