Pall-bearers carry the King of Tonga's coffin
Chris and Rosie discuss the funeral of King George Tupou V of Tonga who died recently. Listen to the programme to find out about the ceremony, how the king helped to reform the country and his unusual and eccentric character.
This week's question: Who has been the longest-serving monarch in Europe?
a) Queen Victoria of Great Britain
b) King Afonso I of Portugal
c) King Louis XIV of France
Listen out for the answer at the end of the programme.
Listen
Funeral fit for a king
End of Section
Vocabulary
- mourning
a period of expressing grief
- monarchs
king or queen
- pall-bearers
people who helped to carry the coffin at a funeral
- took turns
one at a time
- to reform
to change, to improve
- eccentric
unusual, odd
- monocle
a piece of glass worn over one eye to improve vision
- endearing
attracting affection
- ascend
mount or climb
- reign
period of rule
