Royal Order of Pouono

The Royal Order of Pouono is the highest knighthood order of the Kingdom of Tonga.

Royal Order of Pouono
Ko e Fakalangilangi ‘o Pouono
Awarded by King of Tonga
TypeOrder of Merit
Established1893
Royal houseHouse of Tupou
Awarded forThe Monarch, Consort, and children of the Monarch of Tonga and also foreign Heads of State
StatusCurrently constituted
SovereignKing Tupou VI
GradesKnight Grand Cross with Collar (KGCCP)
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Order of King George Tupou I

Ribbon of the order

History

The Order was established in 1893 by King George Tupou II. It is awarded by His Majesty, The Sovereign to foreign Heads of State only.[1]

Class

The Order consists of a single class: Knight Grand Cross with Collar.[1] Its post-nominal letters are KGCCP.[2]

Insignia

The insignia consists of a Grand Collar with a Badge, a Star, a Sash with a Badge

The Grand Collar of the Order is a double gold chain set with a white enamel 6-pointed gold edged star (centre-piece), with on either side moving upwards; a white enamel dove in flight, three crossed swords in gold, a 6-pointed white enamel & gold edged star. From it hangs the Collar Badge, a white enamel gold edged Maltese cross pendant from a gold Tongan crown, The gold central medallion has the "Pouono fale" (a six posted house) also in gold. The red enamel riband has the National motto "KO E ‘OTUA TONGA KO HOKU TOFI’A" (sometimes written as "KOE OTUA MOTOGA KO HOKU TOFIA" due to a manufacturing error) in gold capital letters, in the base is a spray of gold laurel.

The Plaque is a gold 7-armed cross (each arm has seven finger-rays, the first & seventh being the same length, the second & sixth being smaller than the first etc., the third & fifth being smaller than the others, and the fourth is the smallest ray). The white enamel central medallion has a golden "Pouono fale". The red riband has the gold National motto in capital letters, with a spray of gold laurel in the base.

The ribbon is a 102mm moire scarlet/light-cream/scarlet/light-cream/scarlet sash (proportions 6/20/50/20/6mm) [1]

References
  1. John Duncan McMeekin's summary
  2. "Gentleman's Military Interest Club" Forum Tonga Orders
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