Track and field athletes Siueni Filimone and Ronald Fotofili were among those to carry the Queen's Baton, doing so at the entrance of Tupou College in Toloa on the main island of Tongatapu.

The Tonga Commonwealth Games Association was granted special permission to stage a scaled-back event, with the Baton taken to areas of cultural significance.

As well as COVID-19, the island nation is still recovering in the wake of the volcanic eruption and tsunami which struck last month.

On this note, the Queen dispatched another unexpected and altogether more sad message to Tonga.

"I am shocked and saddened by the impact of the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga," the Queen said in her message.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tonga, as you work together to recover from the damage caused.

"It must be incredibly difficult for those who are unable to contact friends and family while communications are disrupted, and I hope that they will soon be restored."

The Baton has also been in Samoa, where a reduced event also took place to comply with COVID-19 preventative measures.

Samoa’s 2018 weightlifting gold medallist Feagaiga Stowers carried the Baton to the Samoa International Cricket Oval.

Cricketer Kolotita Makerita Lui Nonu also took the Baton during its journey.

"I want to salute the many athletes, officials, and volunteers who have taken the Queen's Baton to our sports venues and sites today and yesterday, to showcase this legacy event as an important beacon to bringing our people to unity despite the COVID challenges and effects globally," Samoa Commonwealth Games Association President Pauga Talalelei Pauga said.

British High Commissioner David Ward and Australian High Commissioner Emily Luck also took part in the festivities.

"We were very privileged to witness the sporting talents from Samoa at the Gold Coast and across our region at the Gold Coast Games with a fitting motto from our perspective 'sharing the dream'," Luck said.