The Royal Women

Read part one here. In 1942, the defence of Tonga became the responsibility of the United States and Queen Sālote agreed that the Americans could have a base in Tonga during the war. A United States warship and seaplane arrived on 3 March 1942, followed by two reconnaissance officers at the end of the month. [read more]

As the Second World War loomed large, the British government asked for the support of all the countries within the British Empire. Queen Sālote told the British High Commissioner that Tonga would place all of its resources at Great Britain’s disposal. On 3 September 1939, Tonga officially declared war on Germany. The government immediately called [read more]