Tāufaʻāhau Tupou II
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou II was the King of Tonga from 1893 until his death in 1918. He was the first king of the unified kingdom after the establishment of the Tongan Constitution in 1875, which aimed to modernize the nation and strengthen its sovereignty. His reign was marked by efforts to promote education and infrastructure development in Tonga.
During his rule, Tupou II worked to maintain Tonga's independence amid increasing foreign influence in the Pacific. He was known for his diplomatic skills and sought to balance relationships with countries like Great Britain and Germany. His legacy includes a commitment to preserving Tongan culture and traditions.