TONGA
ORDERS & DECORATIONS
The Most Illustrious Order of Queen Salote Tupou III (Fakalangilangi Ma’olunga ‘o Kuini Salote Tupou III): founded by King George Tupou V on 28th June 2008 as a general reward for meritorious services. Awarded in four classes (1. Supreme Class or Knight Grand Cross – collar, breast star, badge and riband, 2. Grand Cross – breast star, neck badge and ribbon, 3. Commander – neck badge and ribbon, and 4. Member – badge and chest ribbon). Motto: Order of Queen Salote Tupou III.
The Most Illustrious Order of Queen Salote, Grand Cross or second class -
breast star (left), riband and sash badge (centre) and miniature badge (right).).
The Royal Order of the Crown (Fakalangilangi ‘o Kalauni): instituted by King George Tupou V on 31st July 2008 as a reorginization of his predecessor’s Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga founded on 4th December 1896, but modified with respect to precedence, classes and insignia, and a slight change to its motto. Now awarded in four classes (1. Supreme Class or Knight Grand Cross – collar, breast star, badge and riband, 2. Grand Cross - badge, breast star and riband, 3. Commander – neck badge and ribbon, and 4. Member – badge and chest ribbon). Motto: Koe ‘Otua mo Toga ko hoku tofi‘a (God and Tonga are my inheritance).
The Royal Order of the Crown (type II), Grand Cross or second class -
riband and sash badge (top), miniature badge (upper left), buttonhole rosette (bottom left), breast star (centre) and ribbon (right).
The Royal Military Order of St George (Fakalangilangi ‘o Sa Sia’osi): founded by King George Tupou V on 31st July 2009 to reward distinguished and meritorious military services by members of the uniformed services. Awarded in five classes (1. Grand Cross – breast star, badge and riband, 2. Grand Officer – breast star, neck badge and ribbon, 3. Commander – neck badge and ribbon, 4. Officer – badge in gold and chest ribbon with rosette, and 5. Member – badge in silver and chest ribbon). The ribbon is burgundy. Attached to the order is the Medal of the Royal Order of St George, awarded in three classes (see Medals page). Motto: Royal Military Order of St George .
The Royal Military Order of St George, Grand Cross or first class -
breast star (left), riband and sash badge (right).
The Most Devoted Royal Household Order of Tonga (Ko e Li‘oa Taha Fakalangilangi Fale ‘Alo ‘o Tonga): founded by King George Tupou V on 31st July 2009 to reward personal service to the Sovereign. Awarded in five classes (1. Knight or Dame Grand Cross – breast star, badge and riband, 2. Grand Officer – breast star, neck badge and ribbon, 3. Commander – neck badge and ribbon, 4. Officer – badge in gold and chest ribbon with rosette, and 5. Member – badge in silver and chest ribbon). Attached to the order is the Royal Household Medal, awarded in three classes (see Medals page). Motto: Koe ‘Otua mo Toga ko hoku tofi‘a (God and Tonga are my inheritance).
The Royal Household Order: Knight Grand Cross or, first class - sash, sash badge and breast star (left - Type I, Tupou V and right - Type II, Tupou VI).
The King George V Royal Family Order (Ko e Fakalangilangi Fale ‘Alo ‘o Kingi Sia’osi Tupou V): founded by King George Tupou V in 2009, awarded to ladies of the Tongan Royal Family in a single class. Worn from a mint green moiré ribbon bow measuring 50mm in width. Obsolete since 2012.
The King George Tupou V Royal Family Order: shoulder bow.
Copyright© Christopher Buyers, May 2001 - June 2024