The 88-year-old king of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, passed away Monday at a private Mercy Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, TV NZ reported.

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV had spent much of the past year in hospital suffering heart problems and was most recently admitted in July.

The king came to the throne in 1965 following the death of his mother Queen Salote.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has expressed her condolences to Tonga's royal family following the death of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Source: Xinhua