The King of Tonga in the South Pacific died in a New Zealand hospital at the age of 88 and has been succeeded by his eldest son.
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV died late last night surrounded by members of the royal family after a long period of ill health.
"The sun has set in the Kingdom of Tonga," a statement from the royal palace said. Crown Prince Tupouto'a (57) was sworn in as the new king, Tupou V, today, although a coronation is expected to be as much as a year away.
Buildings in the capital, Nukua'alofa, were draped in black and purple, traditional colours of mourning.
King Tupou IV had been in New Zealand for medical treatment since April; he briefly returned to Tonga for his 88th birthday on July 4th and then returned to an Auckland hospital.
The royal palace said the late king would lie in state in Auckland on Tuesday, before his body was flown back by a New Zealand aircraft on Wednesday. A royal funeral would be held on September 19th, with a month of official mourning declared.
Tonga is the South Pacific's last monarchy, where the royal family controls a semi-feudal political system.
The new king is known for his liking of military uniforms and for driving around in a London taxi.