King on centre stage at Edinburgh Tattoo

King George Tupou V

The King of Tonga is facing criticism for attending a military festival in Scotland while at home his subjects mourn the likely deaths of more than 90 people in last Wednesday's Princess Ashika ferry sinking.

Despite being aware of the unfolding tragedy, King Siaosi (George) Tupou V left for Scotland on Friday for an extended holiday that Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele later told reporters could not be cancelled.

The King is due to take the military salute at the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo, hosted by the British Armed Forces.

The festival will this year pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of the birth of iconic Scottish poet Robert Burns.

The King will be accompanied by the country's military band, the Royal Corps of Musicians, which will play a part in the festival.

Members of New Zealand's Tongan community have criticised their King for choosing to carry on with his holiday when his people are facing one of the greatest tragedies in the nation's history.

A posting from Tonga to the Royalty in the News website said the King had left his sister Princess Pilolevi Tuita as Regent in his absence.

She had been meeting survivors and addressing the nation, the website said.

Up to 93 people remain missing following Wednesday's sinking.

Bad weather yesterday halted divers' search efforts and is hoped that the search will resume tomorrow.

It is now feared that bodies trapped inside the sunken vessel may never be recovered.

LAPSES OF JUDGMENT

AUGUST 2009
King George Tupou V leaves Tonga for an extended holiday in Scotland just hours after a ferry disaster in his kingdom in which almost 100 are feared dead.

AUGUST 2005
US President George W. Bush reacts slowly to the devastation in southern states caused by Hurricane Katrina.

AUGUST 2000
Russian President Vladimir Putin remains on holiday when the submarine Kursk sinks, drowning 118 sailors.

AUGUST 1997 Queen Elizabeth (below) fails to recognise the extent of public grief over the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, but belatedly allows the world to share the funeral at Westminster Abbey.