In addition to his inept governance , so different from that of his great - grandfather , this on - going strain led in 1905 to Tonga 's becoming a British protectorate .
For years , relations between the king and the rest of the country remained strained .
In addition to king 's inept governance , so different from that of his great - grandfather , this on - going strain led in 1905 to Tonga 's becoming a British protectorate .
For years , relations between the king and the rest of the country remained strained .