In pictures: Coronation in Tonga

Tonga's new king, George Tupou V, has been crowned in a sumptuous ceremony attended by hundreds of visitors, including foreign royals.

Church bells tolled and a 21-cannon salute rang out as the king was crowned. He is succeeding his father, who died two years ago having reigned for 41 years.

After the ceremony, the king posed for the camera with visitors including Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, centre of second row, and Thailand's Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, left of second row.

The archipelago has seen celebrations for much of the week. The king was crowned in a traditional ceremony on Wednesday, and other royals were also honoured.

Dozens of presentations of food - of yams, kava (a root used to make a mildly narcotic drink) and pigs - were also made from villagers to the king. The goods were then redistributed among villagers.

Correspondents say there is an infectious mood of celebration on the islands. They say islanders are also optimistic that they are entering an era of greater peace and prosperity.

The lavish nature of the celebrations had attracted criticism in a country in which about a quarter of the population lives under the poverty line, and in which lawmakers are unelected.

But Tonga's leaders defended the expenditure, saying the vast majority of Tongans supported it. The king has also said he supports democratic reforms scheduled for 2010.

King George has also pledged to protect Tonga�s natural beauty and its idyllic ocean environment, broaden educational opportunity, improve health and welfare benefits and strengthen the economy.