Her Royal Highness, Princess Siu’ilikutapu is the eldest granddaughter of Her Majesty, the late Queen Salote. Princess Siu’ilikutapu was the first elected female parliamentarian in 1975-1977 in Tonga after fifteen years of women’s suffrage, and therefore paved the way for women in politics. She was previously the President of Langafonua Gallery & Handicrafts Centre a national organisation founded by the Late Queen Salote to empower Tongan women with traditional skills and talents. Since 2018, she has been Patron of the Board of the Tonga Health Society Langimalie Clinic. She is also the Patron of the Lapaha Council, which is the first village council of Tonga.
It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our most highly respected and beloved board members, HRH Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili with her passing on the morning of Sunday, 28th May 2023. She was a great inspiration to those around her in everything she said and did. We are truly grateful to her enduring contributions at ROI as well as her invaluable leadership. Our most sincere condolences go out to the Royal family and friends.