Pōmare V

A king lived in Tahiti.

He was the last king there. His mother was a queen too. He became king after she died. He lived in a big palace.

The king gave his land to France. This was a big change. France gave him money for his help. He had one son and two daughters. He lived a long life. He is buried in a special tomb.

Pōmare V was the last king of Tahiti.

He was born in 1839. His mother was Queen Pōmare IV. He became the heir to the throne in 1855. This happened after his older brother died. He became king in 1877. His mother died that year. His coronation was in Pape'ete.

He married twice. His first wife was a princess from Huahine. His second wife was Joanna Marau-Ta'aroa Te-pa'u Salmon. They married in 1875. Pōmare V had one son and two daughters. In 1880, he had to give up his rule. He gave Tahiti to France. This was called an abdication. The French government gave him a pension. A pension is money paid to someone. He also received two French honors. He died in 1891 at the Royal Palace. He is buried in a special tomb in 'Arue.

Pōmare V was the last monarch to rule Tahiti.

He led the island nation during a time of big changes. His reign was short but very important for history. He was the son of Queen Pōmare IV. This meant he was part of a royal family line. He lived through many shifts in how his land was run. His life connects the old ways of Tahiti to new rules.

His life followed a specific path of duty. He was born as Teri'i Tari'a Te-rā-tane on 3 November 1839. In 1855, he became the Crown Prince. This happened because his older brother died on 13 May 1855. Later, his mother passed away on 17 September 1877. After her death, he became the king of Tahiti. His coronation ceremony took place in Pape'ete on 24 September 1877.

Family was a major part of his life and duties. He married two different women during his time as a leader. His first wife was a princess named Te-mā-ri'i-Ma'i-hara Te-uhe-a-Te-uru-ra'i. They married on 11 November 1857 but divorced in 1861. His second wife was Joanna Marau-Ta'aroa Te-pa'u Salmon. They married in Pape'ete on 28 January 1875.

Pōmare V had one son and two daughters.

In 1880, a major change happened for the whole country. Pōmare V had to undergo a forced abdication. This means he was made to give up his power. On 29 June 1880, he gave Tahiti and its dependencies to France. The French government gave him a pension for his service.

He also received two special French honors. These were Officer of the Legion of Honour and Officer of the Order of Agricultural Merit. Both honors were given on 9 November 1880.

We can still remember him through the places he lived. Pōmare V died on 12 June 1891. He passed away at the Royal Palace in Pape'ete.

He was laid to rest in a special place. His final resting place is the Tomb of the King. This tomb is located at Utu'ai'ai in 'Arue. His story shows how island nations changed in the 19th century. He remains a key figure in the history of Oceania.

Pōmare V was the final monarch to rule the islands of Tahiti. He held the throne from 1877 until 1880. His reign marked a major turning point for his people. During this time, the traditional rule of the Pōmare dynasty ended. The nation moved from being a kingdom to becoming part of France. This transition changed the political future of the region forever.

His life followed a path of royal duty and succession. He was born as Teri'i Tari'a Te-rā-tane on 3 November 1839. At first, he was not the direct heir to the throne. This changed on 13 May 1855 when his elder brother died. Following that death, he became the Heir Apparent. In Tahiti, this specific role was known as the Ari'i-aue, or Crown Prince.

After many years as Crown Prince, Pōmare V became king. His mother, Queen Pōmare IV, died on 17 September 1877. This event led to his official rise to power. His coronation ceremony was held in Pape'ete on 24 September 1877. As king, he took on the responsibilities of the Pōmare dynasty. He led the nation during a period of intense international pressure.

Marriage and family were also significant parts of his life. Pōmare V married two different women during his adulthood. His first marriage took place on 11 November 1857. He married Te-mā-ri'i-Ma'i-hara Te-uhe-a-Te-uru-ra'i, who was a princess from Huahine. This marriage ended in divorce on 5 August 1861.

His second marriage occurred in the capital city of Pape'ete. He married Joanna Marau-Ta'aroa Te-pa'u Salmon on 28 January 1875. After their marriage, she was known as Her Majesty The Queen Marau of Tahiti. They had a family consisting of one son and two daughters. However, this marriage also ended in divorce on 27 July 1887. These personal changes happened alongside the massive political shifts in his kingdom.

The most significant event of his reign was his forced abdication. Abdication is when a ruler is made to give up their power. On 29 June 1880, Pōmare V gave Tahiti and its dependencies to France. This act ended the independent monarchy of Tahiti. In exchange for this change, the French government provided him with a pension. A pension is a regular payment made to someone for their service.

The French government also granted him two high honors. These awards recognized his status and his role during the transition. On 9 November 1880, he became an Officer of the Legion of Honour. He also became an Officer of the Order of Agricultural Merit. These titles were part of the French honors system.

Pōmare V lived out his remaining years in Tahiti. He died on 12 June 1891, at the Royal Palace in Pape'ete. His death marked the end of an era for the islanders. He was buried at the Tomb of the King. This site is located at Utu'ai'ai in 'Arue. His life remains a key study of how Oceania changed in the 19th century. His story connects the ancient royal traditions to the modern era of French Polynesia.