Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuku’aho was born on 14 November 1951 as the second child and eldest daughter of Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe and Crown Prince Tāufaʻāhau (future King Tāufaʻāhau Tupu IV) of Tonga.
She was a granddaughter of Queen Sālote and was born during her grandmother’s reign. She received the name Tuku’aho in honour of her uncle, who died young. Her other names were in honour of her grandmother.
She received her education at the Anglican Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, New Zealand.
On 20 July 1976, she married The Honourable Siosaʻia Maʻulupekotofa, Lord Tuita of ʻUtungake, and they went on to have four daughters together: Sālote Lupepau’u Salamasina Purea Vahine Ari’i ‘Oe Hau Tuita, Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tuita Kaho, Frederica Lupe’uluiva Fatafehi ‘o Lapaha Tuita Filipe and Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose Tuita. They also care for Sālote’s nephew, Fatafehi Sione Ikamafana Tānekinga ʻo Tonga Tuku’aho (born 2003), following the death of his father in 2004.
Her daughter, Titilupe, is the High Commissioner of Tonga to the United Kingdom, Ambassador to the Netherlands, and Ambassador to Luxembourg.
Her father succeeded as King of Tonga in 1965, and he, in turn, was succeeded by Sālote’s elder brother, who became King George Tupou V in 2006. He had no legitimate children and was succeeded by their younger brother, now King Tupou VI, in 2012.
Princess Sālote is known as the Princess Royal of Tonga, and she carries out royal duties on behalf of her brother.
Before her younger brother’s accession, Princess Sālote served as regent in the King’s absence on several occasions. However, King Tupou VI abolished the need for having a regent in his absence.
Her husband is the Tongan Consul General to the United States, and they divide their time between Tonga and California.
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