King George Tupou V; Dead at 63

Tonga's King George Tupou V has died at the age of 63. The lifelong bachelor took power after the death of his father in 2006. His brother, Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka, was at his side at the hospital in Hong Kong. Last year he had a kidney removed in the US.

Nearly immediately after taking the crown, Tupou V set about bringing democracy to the islands of Tonga. In November 2010, the first free elections took place for parliament. The day before that election he said "in future the sovereign shall act only on the advice of his prime minister", and he turned over executive powers to the cabinet and parliament.

Tupou's V weaknesses were fancy Victorian era military uniforms, and he only allowed himself to be driven around in a London cab.

His legacy will be that of the man who brought democracy to his people. Because of him they gained freedom for a feudal society.