Tupouto'a Ulukalala, Crown Prince Of Tonga, Marries Cousin, Sinaitakala Fakafanua

Crown Prince Weds Cousin

Tonga's 25-year-old crown prince wed his cousin on Thursday, July 12, the BBC reports.

The ceremony for Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and his new wife Sinaitakala Tu'imatamoana 'i Fanakavakilangi Fakafanua was attended by 2,5000 people and followed by a reception with 4,000 guests, AFP writes. The wedding was marked by a public holiday.

Matangi Tonga notes that the prince will continue his week-long wedding celebration with a royal ball this Friday and a royal luncheon on Sunday.

The groom is first in line to the Tongan throne and the bride is 26th in line. Both are descendants of Queen Salote Tupou II. According to the BBC, marrying cousins is thought of as a way to maintain the royal bloodline in Tonga.

Radio Australia reports that it is the first time in 65 years that a crown prince of Tonga has married.

Tonga, a chain of islands in the South Pacific, has a population of about 106,000.

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