This open ground was originally known as the Prince Park because it was used by the Europeans
as a sportsgrounds. In 1885 his Majesty King George Tupou I declared a day of fundraising to start the first Government public school. The fundraising Festival was held and the colour theme of the day was red. People from the outer islands and villages attended this special day in red and each individual district and village banners were red. After the red day fundraising Festival, this ground was then known as the Mala’ekula (Red Ground).
Red was chosen due to the Christian belief that it represents the blood of Christ who was crucified on the cross to cleanse our
transgressions. In 1893 when His Majesty King George Tupou I passed away, Mala’ekula was chosen as the burial ground because it is a central Royal Estate, which makes it convenient for the catafalque bearers to march down from the Royal Palace to Mala’ekula.
King George Tupou I was embalmed for days and was laid in-state at the Royal Palace while the construction work to
the Royal Tomb was carried out. King George Tupou I was the first to be buried here followed by members of the Royal House of Tupou.
- King Siaosi Taufa’ahau Tupou I 1893
- Queen Lavinia 1902
- Princess ‘Onelua 1911
- Princess Siaosi Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake 1912
- King Siaosi Tupou II 1918
- Queen Salote Tupou III 1965
- Princess ‘Elisiva Fusipala Tauki’onetuku 1933
- Prince Tuku’aho 1936
- Prince Consort Tungi Mailefihi 1941
- Princess Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Tuku’aho 1993
- Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake 1999
- Lord Ma’atu (Prince ‘Alaivahamama’o Tuku’aho) 2004
- King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV 2006
- King Siaosi Tupou V 2012