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Book News Week 38

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Book News week 38 – 15  September – 21 September 2025

Queens at War (England’s Medieval Queens Book 4) 

Kindle Edition – 18 September 2025 (US)

Hardcover – 18 September 2025 (UK)

The King is Dead, Long Live the King!: Majesty, Mourning and Modernity in Edwardian Britain

Paperback – 16 September 2025 (US)

The Art of Queenship in the Hellenistic World 

Hardcover – 18 September 2025 (US)

The post Book News Week 38 appeared first on History of Royal Women.

The Four Marys – The Companions of Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Stuart became Queen of Scots at a mere six days old in December 1542. This young baby was in the care of her recently widowed mother, Mary of Guise, while Scotland was under the rule of the regent James Hamilton, Earl of Arran. Nobles around Mary were constantly seeking to gain power at court to control the Scottish government for themselves. This was a dangerous and chaotic environment for a young queen to be raised in; at any moment, there was a real threat that she could be killed or kidnapped.

Due to her being a queen in her own right, the idea of Mary’s future marriage match was discussed while she was still a toddler, because marriage to the right prince was essential. Initially, it was planned that Mary would marry the future King Edward VI of England. This would bring peace to Britain and aid Protestant reforms in Scotland. When this fell through, King Henry VIII pursued a brutal, eight-year war against Scotland, remembered as the Rough Wooing.1

Rather than the English match, it was decided that Mary would marry into the French royal family, and she was betrothed to the Dauphin of France, Francis. The pair were still both infants, but the plan was that they would be raised together at the French court. This meant that Mary would be safe, away from the wars and constant plotting in Scotland and that her betrothal would be secured by her presence in the French court from such a young age.

To help Mary settle into her new French home, a group of girls was selected to accompany her to the French court. These girls were all close in age to the Queen, and they were also all called Mary. The four Marys had a mix of Scottish and French ancestry and were all of noble blood, making them ideal companions for the young Queen in a foreign realm. It was also believed that these girls would be loyal and help Mary continue to speak her native Scots language. The four Marys were made up of: Mary Seton, Mary Beaton, Mary Livingston and Mary Fleming, who was also a cousin of the Queen.

Inchmahome Priory (public domain)

In 1548, the four Marys joined their Queen at the isolated Inchmahome Priory before setting sail from Scotland together for a life in France. The young Queen and her four friends were all around the age of five when they left for France and were planning on leaving their homeland for good.

Upon arrival in France, the four Marys were actually removed from the Queen for some time. The girls were sent off to the Dominican Royal Priory in Poissy.2 The aim was for the four Marys to be educated, and also that while away from her friends, Queen Mary could build important bonds with the Valois daughters, Claude and Elisabeth. By spending time with the princesses, Mary would learn French and be raised in a standard befitting a future Queen of France. While living at the French court, all the young girls learned French, dancing, and calligraphy, and were educated to a high standard. Once back with their Queen, the girls spent many happy years together, playing, learning, and perfecting the duties they would need later in life.

On 24 April 1558, the day arrived that a fifteen-year-old Mary had spent her entire childhood preparing for: her wedding to the Dauphin of France. Mary and Francis’s wedding was widely celebrated, and the future of the Valois dynasty seemed secure with the union of this promising young couple.

Mary and husband Francis II (public domain)

In July 1559, Mary and Francis suddenly became King and Queen of France when King Henry II died in a jousting accident. The teenage Mary was now Queen of both France and Scotland, and she was also claiming succession to the English throne. Things could not be better for Mary and her friends at this time, and all of court life revolved around them.

In December 1560, things took a drastic turn for the worse when Mary’s husband, King Francis II, died following complications from an ear infection. Mary was now widowed, and the four Marys were left at the French court with no purpose or prospects. The French monarchy continued as Charles IX ascended to the throne, and therefore, Mary and her ladies had no reason to remain. The five young women and their staff left the safety and familiar surroundings of France to head back to Scotland, where Mary would rule in her own right as Queen of Scots for the first time over a realm she had little knowledge of.

Once back in Scotland, Mary was facing widespread religious divisions as well as warring factions at court. Her four friends helped her bring a little bit of France to her Scottish castles and palaces by making changes to the entertainment, food, and décor. The four young women accompanied Queen Mary everywhere; they were by her side, whether in her bedchamber, at feasts, or even in parliament. The Marys were well-known to all who visited Queen Mary’s court, as they often performed in court dances and masques, and went out on hunting trips with prominent nobles.

To have fun and let their hair down, the Queen and her ladies would often put on disguises and go out into Edinburgh on shopping trips. They were seen laughing and joking and even wearing men’s riding clothes, which caused outrage amongst those who opposed the Queen, most notably the religious reformer John Knox. Knox was rather preoccupied with his absolute hate for female rule, and he spent much time writing and preaching about this, as well as stalking and harassing the Queen. Knox called the four Marys “lusty” and immoral3 ,and the friends could not even enjoy a bit of fun in the garden without Knox proclaiming “there might have been seen skipping not very comely for honest women.”4 To quell some of the rumours about her, Queen Mary had to marry again and was married to her cousin Lord Darnley in 1565. While their union did provide a son and heir for both Scotland and England in the form of the future King James VI and I, the marriage ended very badly when Darnley was murdered. Mary married again to Lord Bothwell in 1567, following rumours of Bothwell abducting and raping the Queen. The rest is history, and this marked the end of Mary’s personal rule and the beginning of a long period of captivity and eventual execution under the orders of her first cousin, once removed, Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Mary Beaton (public domain)

The four Marys lives all took their own directions once Queen Mary lost control of Scotland. Mary Seton was the most devoted to her Queen and remained by her side for over fifteen years. She helped Queen Mary with escape attempts and lived with her in a succession of desolate houses and castles during her captivity. In her later years, Mary Seton returned to France and spent the remainder of her days in a convent. She would have been delighted to hear that Queen Mary’s son James had become king of Scotland and England.

Mary Fleming was not only Mary’s cousin but also her friend, so the pair shared a close bond. Mary Fleming went on to marry Sir William Maitland, a man who was twenty years her senior. Maitland was Queen Mary’s secretary but was known for being duplicitous and often involved in plots. Mary Fleming and her husband continued to support The Queen’s Party even when Mary had been overthrown. Following the surrender of Edinburgh Castle, Maitland died (possibly by suicide) before his trial could take place. Mary Fleming was herself held captive for some time and deprived of most of her lands and properties until King James ascended the throne. Mary was married again in later life to George Meldrum of Fyvie.

Mary Livingston was married to John Sempill in 1565. The Queen attended their wedding and showered them with gifts, including a grant of lands. Mary Livingston remained close to the Queen and was the keeper of her jewels in Scotland. Livingston outlived her husband, and the couple had several children together, although the exact number is unknown.

The final Mary was Mary Beaton, who was always hailed as the prettiest of the women. Beaton was a known political figure and often corresponded with the wives of English ambassadors. One ambassador, Thomas Randolph, courted Mary Beaton for some time, though she went on to marry Alexander Ogilvy in 1566. Beaton stayed with the Queen at Edinburgh Castle despite being married and was there for the birth of James. Mary Beaton lived out her life in Scotland and was present to welcome Anne of Denmark to court in 1590. Mary Beaton was survived by at least two children. After her death, her husband married again to Jean Gordon, the woman who was once cast aside by Lord Bothwell when he married Mary, Queen of Scots.

After the downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots, the five women led very different lives. However, it is evident that all the friendships endured in various ways, and the four Marys often risked their own lives and reputations in continuing to support the overthrown Queen. From being young girls together to old age, the four Marys lives remained intertwined with that of their ill-fated Queen and friend.5

 

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Princess Ayako’s Tiara

Princess Ayako’s tiara was given to Princess Ayako of Takamado on the occasion of her 20th birthday in 2010.

The designs consist of flowers and leaves in diamonds.

Princess Ayako was in possession of the tiara for eight years. She relinquished her imperial titles when she married Kei Moriya in 2018. The tiara has since returned to the vaults.

See more of the tiara here and here.

The post Princess Ayako’s Tiara appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Atsuko, Princess Yori – The fourth daughter

Atsuko, Princess Yori was born on 7 March 1931 as the fourth daughter of Emperor Hirohito of Japan and Empress Nagako.

Her elder sisters are Shigeko, Princess Teru (born 1925), Sachiko, Princess Hisa (born 1927 – died 1928), and Kazuko, Princess Taka (born 1929). Her younger siblings are Emperor Emeritus Akihito (born 1933), Masahito, Prince Hitachi (born 1935) and Takako, Princess Suga (born 1939).

Embed from Getty Images

The birth of a fourth daughter was a disappointment as women cannot succeed to the Chrysanthenum throne. The New York Times reported, “The 90,000,000 subjects of the Emperor of Japan had hoped that the infant would be a son, to succeed Emperor Hirohito to the throne.”1 The Empress was nicknamed “onno bara’, literally “girl womb” or “girl tummy” by the Imperial Household Agency, who also tried to insist that the Emperor should take a concubine to produce a male heir.2 It wasn’t until 1933 that a son was born to the couple.

The newborn Princess received her name seven days after her birth. The New York Times reported, “Japan’s tiniest bit of royalty was named Yori Atsuko today on the seventh day after the Princess’s birth and shortly thereafter, in accordance with time-honored rites, Emperor Hirohito reported the name to the spirits of the imperial ancestors. The name was chosen from ancient Japanese scriptures, Yori meaning ‘obedience to heaven’ and Atsuko meaning ‘generosity to those on earth.'”3

Atsuko was raised with her two elder sisters at a separate household from her parents. She attended the prestigious Gakushūin Peer’s School and also received English language tutoring from Elizabeth Gray Vining. Elizabeth gave all her students an English name, and Atsuko’s name was Patricia.4 Atsuko was “pleased” with her English name.5

Elizabeth described Atsuko, “I recognized Atsuko from her resemblance to the Crown Prince and her look of well-being. She was dressed exactly like the others, but her blue serge was not shabby, and she was well shod. She had curly hair and an unusually fair skin, a shy, rather eager smile. She liked science and volley ball and took little interest in clothes.”6 In March 1952, she graduated from Gakushūin University Women’s College.

Embed from Getty Images

Atsuko would soon be leaving the imperial family. Any Princess who married a commoner was required to relinquish their imperial titles and leave the family as per the Imperial House Law. On 2 September 1952, the New York Times reported, “Princess Atsuko, fourth daughter of Emperor Hirohito and known as the ‘Princess of Roses,’ will marry a farmer of noble blood next month, the Imperial Household Minister announced today. The Shinto ceremony uniting the Princess and Takamasa Ikeda will take place on Oct.10.”7

Takamasa Ikeda was the eldest son of former Marquis Nobumasa Ikeda, who had lost his title in 1947 during the American occupation. They were second cousin through the same great-grandfather, Asahiko, Prince Kuni. Their wedding plans had been postponed due to the period of mourning following the death of her grandmother, Empress Teimei.

It was reported that “For her wedding with Takamasa Ikeda, the tiny, 22-year-old Princess wore a rich white, green, gold and silver brocade robe over a purple skirt. The costume dated back to the Heian era of 1000 years ago. She wore her hair in the traditional osaberakashi – lifted up and back, and then falling over her back like a waterfall. Emperor Hirohito could not be present because of a cold. However, Empress Nagaki, Crown Prince Akihito, imperial relatives and close friends of the Ikeda family attended. The Princess and her 26-year-old husband will live on a farm in Okayama prefecture, where a newly-built cottage awaits them.”8

After their wedding, Atsuko became known as Mrs Takamasa Ikeda. They did not have any children together.

Atsuko succeeded her elder sister, Kazuko, as the most sacred priestess of the Ise Grand Shrine. She served in that role until 2017, when she was succeeded by her niece, Sayako. She was widowed in 2012.

The post Atsuko, Princess Yori – The fourth daughter appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Zhang Guiren – The Imperial Consort who murdered an Emperor because of a joke

Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang (also known as Zhang Guiren) was the favourite imperial concubine of Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.[1] She was the head of Emperor Xiaowu’s imperial harem and his de facto empress.[2] One night, while drunk, Emperor Xiaowu made a joke about Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang being replaced because she had almost reached the age of thirty.[3] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang feared that she would be banished to the cold palace.[4] Therefore, she began to have evil thoughts of murdering the Emperor.[5]

The birthdate of Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang is unknown.[6] Her surname was Zhang, but her personal name is unknown. Her parents are unknown. Her early life is also unknown.[7] She eventually joined the harem of Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.[8] She was given the imperial rank of Honoured (officially the rank of Guiren).[9]

Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang was childless.[10] Despite her barrenness, Emperor Xiaowu was deeply devoted to her, and she was his favourite.[11] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang acted as the de facto empress and was head of the imperial harem.[12] It was said that all the other imperial concubines were afraid of her.[13]

On 6 November 396 C.E., Emperor Xiaowu and Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang were drinking together in Qingshu Palace.[14] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang was almost thirty years old.[15] When Emperor Xiaowu became drunk, he joked, “Someone your age should be replaced.”[16] Emperor Xiaowu did not mean what he said because he only said it as a joke.[17] However, Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang took his words seriously.[18] She was afraid that she would lose all her power and he would send her to the cold palace.[19] She became very angry.[20] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang decided to murder Emperor Xiaowu.[21]

That night, Emperor Xiaowu went to bed drunk. Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang sent his eunuchs away with gifts of wine.[22] Then, she got her maid to cover Emperor Xiaowu’s face with quilts.[23] They smothered Emperor Xiaowu until he died.[24] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang got away with murdering Emperor Xiaowu.[25] When his servants found the Emperor dead, Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang said that he died in his sleep.[26] Because Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was mentally disabled, he let her get away with it.[27] Emperor An brought up no charges.[28] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang took advantage of the disabled Emperor.[29] She quickly fled the imperial palace, taking silver and gold with her.[30] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang’s life afterwards is unknown.[31]

Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang enjoyed much status and prestige in Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty’s harem.[32] When Emperor Xiaowu made a joke about her age, Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang took it seriously.[33] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang was afraid that he would banish her to the cold palace.[34] Therefore, she felt that she had to murder Emperor Xiaowu to save herself.[35] She was lucky enough to get away with regicide.[36] Imperial Honoured Consort Zhang’s murder of Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty is an unusual event in Chinese history because she is the only imperial concubine who has successfully committed regicide.[37]

Sources:

DayDayNews. (17 September 2019). “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”. Retrieved on December 17, 2024 from https://daydaynews.cc/en/history/amp/....

Guang, S. (n.d.). Records of Jin Dynasty 晋纪: Zi Zhi Tong Jian资治通鉴; or Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance; Volume 79 – 118. (n.p.): DeepLogic.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

[1] McMahon, 2013

[2] Guang, n.d.

[3] McMahon, 2013

[4] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[5] McMahon, 2013

[6] McMahon, 2013

[7] McMahon, 2013

[8] McMahon, 2013

[9] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[10] Guang, n.d.

[11] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[12] Guang, n.d.

[13] Guang, n.d.

[14] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[15] McMahon, 2013

[16] McMahon, 2013, p. 147

[17] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[18] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[19] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[20] McMahon, 2013

[21] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[22] Guang, n.d.

[23] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[24] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[25] McMahon, 2013

[26] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[27] McMahon, 2013

[28] McMahon, 2013

[29] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[30] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[31] McMahon, 2013

[32] Guang, n.d.

[33] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[34] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[35] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[36] DayDayNews, September 17, 2019, “Introduction to Sima Yao, the Ninth Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty”

[37] McMahon, 2013

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Book News Week 37

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Book News week 37 – 8 September – 14 September 2025

Marie Antoinette Style 

Hardcover – 11 September 2025 (UK)

The Empress and the Dragon Throne: Imperial Women of the Early Ming Dynasty 

Hardcover – 14 September 2025 (US)

Queen Elizabeth II: A Concise Biography of an Exceptional Sovereign

Hardcover – 11 September 2025 (UK)

Princess Margaret and the Curse: An Inquiry into a Royal Life 

Hardcover – 9 September 2025 (US)

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Book Review: Queen Victoria in Cornwall by Susan Symons

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Susan Symons is the author of several books involving Queen Victoria and books about German castles, appropriately named “Schloss.”

The book “Queen Victoria in Cornwall” focuses on Queen Victoria’s visit to Cornwall in 1846 with her husband, Prince Albert, and their two eldest children, Victoria, Princess Royal, and the Prince of Wales (who was also Duke of Cornwall).

I am a little on the fence about this book. The information is very well researched, and the writing is excellent. However, sometimes the information veers a bit too much off the royal path, for example, an entire page is dedicated to Cornish Marble. The illustrations are nice and are placed with the information rather than in the middle of the book, which I prefer. Nevertheless, there is only so much you can do to make a visit like this exciting, and I am not sure an entire book was the way to go.

Queen Victoria in Cornwall by Susan Symons is available now in the UK and the US.

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The Duchess of Kent dies at the age of 92

The Duchess of Kent has died at the age of 92.

A statement from Buckingham Palace read, “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.

“The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”

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The Year of Queen Sālote Tupou III – Tonga during the Second World War (Part two)

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. More ships followed in April, and some departed not much later. The number of troops soon took over the island of Tongatapu, and there were approximately 40 ships in the harbour. A special farm provided vegetables for the US forces and the remaining New Zealanders.1 An American military cemetery was established for the inevitable casualties.

Luckily for Tonga, the war in the Pacific went well, which reduced the need for Tonga to be a major army base. During 1943, the evacuees from the capital were finally allowed to return home. However, the capital wasn’t particularly fun to live in at the time, as bored soldiers often caused trouble. A lot of American officers also went on to have Tongan girlfriends, or they visited prostitutes. The number of illegitimate births rose from 17% to 24%. Few of the mixed-race individuals actually knew their fathers, and it appears that none supported their children. Troops from the southern American states often had very little regard for the Tongans and their rights. Following a break-in in a Navy warehouse, a two-day raid known as the “Cigarette Raid” saw the rights of several Tongans seriously violated.

Queen Sālote’s response left the Tongans baffled. She reportedly said, “Well, I can speak to the General and he will see that it is put right. But these papālangis – these Americans – are here only for a short time. When they go, all will be forgotten; and they are here to help us and Britain in fighting the war against the Japanese and the Germans. It would be better just to be quiet and let it go.”2

Some Tongans were serving overseas, and when two officers were killed in action in 1943, Queen Sālote attended a memorial service at the airfield. The Tongans who served overseas often became ill with malaria and dengue fever, and when they were on leave in Tonga in 1943, it was decided that they would be demobilised without being recalled.

In January 1945, Queen Sālote left Tonga for the first time in many years. Her throat had been troubling her for a while now, and her doctors advised her to receive treatment in New Zealand. They hoped to prevent a tonsillectomy. She did end up undergoing an operation, which was very likely a tonsillectomy. She returned home to Tonga not much later.

The war in Europe ended on 7 May 1945, followed by the war against Japan on 8 August 1945. What remained of the Tongan Defence Force was stood down in October 1945. Few signs remained of the presence of the troops, but the clinics set up by US Army doctors were successful in reducing the occurrence of tuberculosis. Cecil Gribble, the Director of Education, commented, “Superficially, Tonga looks like its pre-war self, but for those who have eyes to see, deep and disquieting changes have taken place.”3 Among these disquieting changes were the now widespread use of alcohol and cigarettes. The common people had more access to money, and this made them more emancipated. Their businesses flourished after the war.

Queen Sālote had come through the war as a gracious but sometimes aloof host.

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The Year of Queen Sālote Tupou III – Tonga during the Second World War (Part one)

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 for volunteers to join the Tonga Defence Force, and nearly every adult man did so. Queen Sālote had gone onto a big platform to personally call for volunteers. She said, “My people, I want to tell you today [that] I have made a decision that no woman has a right to do, but I have made it as Queen. We will support England in the war today until the end of the war. […] England is in trouble, and we owe a lot to England because England has been protecting us for years now.”1 Even women tried to sign up, but they were eventually recruited to sew the uniforms and collect medical supplies. Queen Sālote’s husband was made colonel-in-chief. The officers of the Tonga Defence Force received their commissions from the Queen and swore their allegiance to her. They were given a metal badge that was designed by the Queen. Training began with sticks as a replacement for weapons, as they did not have any yet.

Queen Sālote began setting aside 10% of her salary each month as her contribution, and 546 acres were offered to the British government for an airfield for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The bulldozer, which came to level the ground, was quite a sight for the Tongans. The first aircraft landed in March 1940. The pilot told Queen Sālote he’d like to take her on a flight sometime. Queen Sālote responded, “Certainly, when shall we go?” And so he took Queen Sālote and her husband on a flight that very afternoon.2

During the war,  Queen Sālote suffered perhaps her greatest loss. On 20 July 1941, her husband, Tungī Mailefihi, died of a heart attack at the age of 54. Queen Sālote was not with him at the time, and although she had been called, he was already gone when she arrived. She had him brought to her own bedroom, and he did not lie in state. He was brought down just before the funeral so dignitaries could say farewell. Queen Sālote was too grief-stricken to be in the funeral procession, but she did decide every little thing for the funeral. He was interred at the royal burial ground, Malaʻekula. Queen Sālote spent many of her days in seclusion, and it was only her faith that sustained her. She often walked along the beach in the dark with one or more of her ladies. Newspaper lauded the Queen’s husband, “for it was his guiding hand behind the felicitous reign of the Queen for the past twenty-three years… Although it was not easy to be a consort, he filled the position better than most.”3

On 7 December 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and within a few hours, Tonga joined the Allies in declaring war on Japan. The war with Japan was a more realistic threat for Tonga, as they had warships throughout the Pacific. A bombing or even an invasion became a real threat. Foreign women and children were evacuated to Fiji, New Zealand, or even Australia. Most were unwilling to go, and many returned as soon as they were allowed. Inhabitants of the capital were told to go to their relatives in the country. Queen Sālote set the example by moving to the southern coast. A house was built for her, and several houses around it were built to serve her. She described it as her “little coconut-leaf house.”4

Queen Sālote was certain that the airfield would eventually be bombed, and she set up First Aid classes so that “we shall be ready to help injured soldiers at the airfield.”5

Part two coming soon.

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