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The pealing of church bells and the thundering of a cannon marked the moment Tonga's new sovereign was finally crowned.
The coronation of King George Tupou V on a fine day in the capital, Nuku'alofa, delighted Tongans and overseas visitors witnessing the historic event.
From inside the Centenary Church invited guests could hear the clapping and cheering of Tongans in the streets, as he was crowned by the Tongan-born Anglican Archbishop of Polynesia, Jabez Bryce.
Before the coronation started, children lined the streets waving red and gold flags bearing the King's initials, and red balloons illustrated with the Tongan flag hung from the trees.
The road from the royal palace to the church was covered in tapa cloth.
The Centenary Church, which is a Free Wesleyan church, had been spruced up with freshly painted white walls and the pews removed to make way for hundreds of velvet-covered chairs with the King's insignia embroidered on their backs.
A plain wooden cross hung above the altar, between two small stained-glass windows, and five flower arrangements stood against the wall.
RIOTS BLAMED ON POLITICIANS
King George Tupou V has blamed the riots which led to the destruction of about half of Nuku'alofa on pro-democracy politicians.
In an interview with the BBC, King Tupou said certain politicians had gone out and practised demagogy, the immediate cause of the riots.
But they found they could not control the circumstances.
He made comparisons to sorcerers apprentices and said there were deeper meanings to the riots which were too hard to understand at this time.
King Tupou also referred to the complexities of a coronation and uniqueness of the royal line.
The King reiterated his intention to support democratic reforms in Tonga and devolve his executive powers to Parliament.
Any powers left to him would be exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister, he said.
The relatively plain surroundings highlighted the pomp of the occasion.
A large golden throne sat centre stage and the order of service was handed out in attractive folders.
Inside was a photo of King Tupou in his military regalia, with a hint of a smile but rather sad-looking eyes.
As the guests waited for the King to arrive, hymns from the choir filled the cavernous space.
Guests included Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck of Bhutan.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark was there, as was Fiji's coup-installed leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who was dressed in white tie and black tails over a traditional Fijian sulu skirt.
King Tupou, clad in a long burgundy velvet robe, entered the church to applause at 10am.
The robe, bordered with blue and gold and trimmed with ermine, was worn over silk breeches and white stockings which contrasted with the King's black patent-leather shoes.
His entrance marked the first part of a five-part service, in English and Tongan, which included King George taking an oath to preserve the integrity of the Tongan constitution.
The most solemn part was the anointing of the monarch with holy oil on his hands and his head.
King Tupou received the royal regalia _ the ring of kingly dignity, the sceptre of the ensign of kingly power and justice, and the crown.
As the royal chaplain presented the sovereign to the people they responded "God Save the King".
Many in the congregation of hundreds strained to get a better view than just the tip of the King's crown.
Some pushed the boundaries of protocol and raised digital cameras to take photos of the enthroned King.
A middle-aged Tongan man, heavily wrapped in a thick mat, wept throughout the service.
The voice of Dr 'Alifelete Mone, the president of the Methodist Church, quivered with emotion as he read the pray of consecration.
The service ended with a short drum roll, then
a smiling King Tupou walked slowly down the aisle to a rousing hymn.
Following him in a scarlet robe walked Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, who nodded to the guests and looked like any proud mother.
King Tupou succeeds his father, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, who died in 2006.
