In 1896 , the chiefs of the country urged him to marry and produce an heir .
He ascended the throne at the age of 18 , upon the death of his great - grandfather George Tupou I , at which time he was still a bachelor .
In 1896 , the chiefs of the country urged bachelor to marry and produce an heir .
He ascended the throne at the age of 18 , upon the death of his great - grandfather George Tupou I , at which time he was still a bachelor .