A UEA grad is now the King of Tonga

Wonder if he got a 2:1

coronation king norwich tonga uea

A UEA grad has officially been crowned as the King of Tonga, three years after his ascension to the throne.

Tupou VI, 55, studied Development Studies at the uni between 1977 and 1980, before returning home and beginning a successful career in the Tongan government.

Picture: Eastern Daily Press

The news of his coronation comes in the same month as Radio 1 heartthrob and all-round UEA legend Greg James’ graduation, proving that UEA truly is the uni of choice for those in the spotlight.

Tupou’s acension further proves just what a degree from UEA can get you, provided you work hard and are part of a Polynesian royal family.

Classmate Kevin Monahan told the Eastern Daily Press he’s having T-shirts printed to commemorate the special occasion.

Remembering the king, he said: “He was very quiet, and he was a big chap. Of course at that time he was just a prince.”

UEA is one of five UK universities to have produced a current monarch, with the British Council estimating one in 10 countries has a leader who studied in the UK.

It is rumoured that the three-year wait for Tupou’s coronation was to ensure that the traditional 11 days of feasts and parties after the event go smoothly.

Sounds like he would have fitted right in here.