Tonga's Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho has been buried at the royal tomb Mala'ekula in Nuku'alofa.
Earlier today, her body was carried on a catafalque by hundreds of men to the royal tombs.
Students gather at the Royal Tombs, Mala'ekula: Ten days of national morning have been declared. Photo: Sia Adams
The queen mother has been laid to rest after dying in Auckland last weekend.
She lay in state overnight at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa, while an all-night vigil, or takipo, was held.
The takipo concluded as the funeral procession prepared to take her body to the tombs.
Churches were allocated an hour each throughout the night to pay homage to Queen Mata'aho through prayer and song while schools took turns to keep ceremonial fires burning outside until day break.
A Royal New Zealand Airforce Hercules brought the queen mother home yesterday, with her funeral cortege greeted by a guard of honour at the airport and schoolchildren lining the approximately 20 kilometres to the Royal Palace.
New Zealand Tongan MP Jenny Salesa, centre, prepares to join the funeral procession. Photo: Jenny Salesa
Foreign dignitaries have paid their respects, including diplomatic heads, Fijian chief and former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Samoa's Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Samoan Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Mata'afa and Māori king Kiingi Tuheitia.
New Zealand-Tongan MP for Manukau East Jenny Salesa is in Tonga for the funeral.
The government has declared today a special public holiday as a tribute to the queen mother.
All flags in the country are being flown at half-mast and will remain so for 10 days of national mourning.
School children line the streets waiting for the funeral procession. Photo: Sia Adams
