Governor-General of Saint Lucia

{{Short description|Representative of the monarch of Saint Lucia}} {{Infobox official post | post = Governor-General | body = Saint Lucia | native_name = ''Gouvènè Jennéwal Sent Lisi'' | flag = Flag of the Governor-General of Saint Lucia.svg | flagsize = 175px | flagcaption = [[Flag of Saint Lucia|Flag of the governor-general]] | flagborder = | insignia = Coat of arms of Saint Lucia.svg | insigniasize = 100px | insigniacaption = Coat of arms of Saint Lucia | image = Errol Charles Sep 2022.jpg | imagesize = | alt = | incumbent = [[Errol Charles|Sir Errol Charles]] | incumbentsince = 1 November 2024 Acting: 11 November 2021 – 31 October 2024 | acting = | department = Viceroy | style = [[Excellency|His Excellency]] | member_of = | reports_to = | residence = [[Government House, Saint Lucia]] | seat = | appointer = [[Monarchy of Saint Lucia|Monarch of Saint Lucia]] | appointer_qualified = on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Saint Lucia|prime minister]] | termlength = [[At His Majesty's pleasure]] | termlength_qualified = | constituting_instrument = | precursor = | formation = 22 February 1979 | first = [[Allen Montgomery Lewis|Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis]] | last = | abolished = | succession = | deputy = | salary = 36,112 USD annually<ref name="finance.gov.lc">{{cite web|url=https://www.finance.gov.lc/resources/download/2043|title=ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE 2016-2017|author=Government of Saint Lucia|website=www.finance.gov.lc}}</ref> | website = {{URL|http://governorgeneral.govt.lc/}} }}

The '''governor-general of Saint Lucia''' ([[Saint Lucian Creole French]]: ''Gouvènè Jennéwal Sent Lisi'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stluciaconsulate.ca/feature-address-by-consul-general-henry-mangal-at-official-launch-of-creole-heritage-month-kweyol-version/|title=Feature Address by Consul General – Henry Mangal At Official Launch of Creole Heritage Month (Kwéyòl Version)|website=stluciaconsulate.ca|access-date=16 March 2025|archive-date=17 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117162428/https://stluciaconsulate.ca/feature-address-by-consul-general-henry-mangal-at-official-launch-of-creole-heritage-month-kweyol-version/|url-status=dead}}</ref> is the representative of the [[monarchy of Saint Lucia|Saint Lucian monarch]], currently {{Current Saint Lucian monarch |King |Charles III}}, in [[Saint Lucia]]. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the [[Prime Minister of Saint Lucia|prime minister of Saint Lucia]]. The functions of the governor-general include appointing [[Cabinet of Saint Lucia|ministers]], judges, and ambassadors; giving [[royal assent]] to [[legislation]] passed by [[Parliament of Saint Lucia|parliament]]; issuing [[writs for election]].

In general, the governor-general observes the conventions of the [[Westminster system]] and [[responsible government]], maintaining political neutrality, and has to always act only on the advice of the prime minister. The governor-general also has a ceremonial role: hosting events at the official residence{{mdash}}[[Government House, Saint Lucia|Government House]] in the capital, [[Castries]]{{mdash}}and bestowing honours to individuals and groups who are contributing to Saint Lucia and to their communities. When travelling abroad, the governor-general is seen as the representative of Saint Lucia and its monarch. The governor-general is supported by a staff headed by the official secretary to the governor-general.

Governors-general formally serve "[[At His Majesty's pleasure|at the monarch's pleasure]]". Since 1 November 2024, the governor-general has been [[Errol Charles]].

The office of the governor-general was created on 22 February 1979, when Saint Lucia gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, seven individuals have served as governor-general.

==Appointment== [[File:Installation Ceremony of Governor General Sir Neville Cenac.jpg|thumb|left|Installation of [[Neville Cenac]] as governor-general of Saint Lucia, 2018]]

The governor-general is formally appointed by the [[monarch of Saint Lucia]]. When a new governor-general is to be appointed, the [[prime Minister of Saint Lucia|prime minister]] recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts that recommendation. At the installation ceremony, the new governor-general takes an oath of allegiance and an oath of office.<ref name=const>{{cite web|url=https://www.govt.lc/constitution2|title=Constitution of Saint Lucia|work=Government of Saint Lucia|access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

== Functions == Saint Lucia [[Personal union|shares the person of the sovereign]] equally with [[Commonwealth realm|14 other countries]] in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. As the sovereign works and resides predominantly outside of Saint Lucian borders, the governor-general's primary task is to perform the monarch's constitutional duties on their behalf. As such, the governor-general carries out their functions in the government of Saint Lucia on behalf and in the name of the Sovereign.

The office of governor-general is provided for by Chapter II, Sections 19 to 22 of the Constitution.<ref name=const/>

===Constitutional role===

The governor-general is responsible for appointing the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the [[Chief Justice of St Lucia|Chief Justice of Saint Lucia]], members of the [[Senate of Saint Lucia|Senate]], senior civil servants, members of different commissions and boards. The constitution empowers the governor-general to make or revoke appointments to government or public offices and to Commissions and Boards after receiving careful consultation or advice.<ref name=ggroles>{{cite web|url=https://governorgeneral.govt.lc/roles-and-responsibilities|title=Responsibilities and Duties of the Governor-General|work=Governor General of Saint Lucia|access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives [[royal assent]] to laws passed by the [[Parliament of Saint Lucia]].<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general's constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities also include: declaration of State of Emergency; summoning, prorogation and dissolution of Parliament; and the Prerogative of Mercy.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general holds weekly meetings with the prime minister on matters of state and governance.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general may, in certain circumstances, exercise without—or contrary to—ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers.

===Ceremonial role===

[[File:Ambassador Designate of the Republic of Cuba to Saint Lucia presents credentials.jpg|thumb|Governor-General [[Neville Cenac|Sir Neville Cenac]] receiving the credentials of Cuban ambassador Alejandro Simancas Marin, 2019]]

The governor-general's ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of parliament by delivering the [[Speech from the Throne]], taking the salute during the Independence Day Parade, welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general also presents honours at investitures to Saint Lucians for notable service to the community, or for acts of bravery.<ref name=ggroles/>

===Community role=== [[File:Governor-General's Remembrance Day Address 2018.jpg|thumb|Governor-General [[Neville Cenac]] during his Remembrance Day address, 2018]]

The governor-general provides non-partisan leadership in the community, acting as patron of many charitable, service, sporting and cultural organisations, and attending functions throughout the country. The governor-general also encourages, articulates and represents those things that unite Saint Lucians together. In this role, the governor-general provides a focus for national identity, unity and pride by attending at events of national significance such as Independence Day activities and Remembrance Sunday.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general serves as patron of various organisations such as the Saint Lucia National Trust, the Girl Guides Association of Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Red Cross, ad the Saint Lucia School of Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://governorgeneral.govt.lc/patron-agencies|title=Patron Agencies|work=Governor General of Saint Lucia|access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

==Privileges== The governor-general, serves as the Chancellor of the [[Order of Saint Lucia]], established by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://governorgeneral.govt.lc/honors-and-awards|title=Honours and Awards|work=Governor General of Saint Lucia|access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

===Salary===

The governor-general receives an annual salary of US$36,112.<ref name="finance.gov.lc">{{cite web|url=https://www.finance.gov.lc/resources/download/2043|title=ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE 2016-2017|author=Government of Saint Lucia|website=www.finance.gov.lc}}</ref>

===Symbols===

[[File:Flag of the Governor-General of Saint Lucia.svg|thumb|Flag of the governor-general of Saint Lucia]]

The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a [[Lions passant|lion passant]] atop a [[St. Edward's Crown|St. Edward's]] [[Crown (heraldry)#Commonwealth usage|royal crown]] with "Saint Lucia" written on a scroll underneath, all on a blue background. It is flown on buildings and other locations in Saint Lucia to mark the governor-general's presence.

===Residence===

[[Government House, Saint Lucia|Government House]] in [[Castries]] is the official residence of the governor-general of Saint Lucia.<ref>{{cite web|title=History, Tours|url=https://governorgeneral.govt.lc/history-tours|work=Governor General of Saint Lucia|access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

Dating back to 1895, it has served as the official residence and office of all governors-general since independence in 1979.

==List of governors-general== Following is a list of people who have served as governor-general of Saint Lucia since independence in 1979.

{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting governors-general}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" | {{Abbr|No.|Number}} ! rowspan="2" | Portrait ! rowspan="2" | Name (Birth–Death) ! colspan="3" | Term of office ! rowspan="2" | Monarch (Reign) |- !Took office !Left office !Time in office |- | 1 | [[File:Insigne Sanctae Luciae.svg|70px]] | Sir [[Allen Montgomery Lewis]] {{small|(1909–1993)}} | 22 February 1979 | 19 June 1980 | {{ayd|1979|2|22|1980|6|19}} | rowspan="10" style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: solid solid none solid ;" | [[File:Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1959).jpg|70px]] '''[[Elizabeth II]]''' [[File:Coat of arms of Saint Lucia.svg|60px]] (1979–2022) |- | 2 | [[File:Insigne Sanctae Luciae.svg|70px]] | [[Boswell Williams]] {{small|(1926–2014)}} | 19 June 1980 | 12 December 1982 | {{ayd|1980|6|19|1982|12|12}} |- | (1) | [[File:Insigne Sanctae Luciae.svg|70px]] | Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis {{small|(1909–1993)}} | 13 December 1982 | 30 April 1987 | {{ayd|1982|12|13|1987|4|30}} |- |-style="background:#e6e6aa;" | – | [[File:Insigne Sanctae Luciae.svg|70px]] | [[Vincent Floissac]] {{small|(1928–2010)}} {{small|Acting Governor-General}} | 30 April 1987 | 10 October 1988 | {{ayd|1987|4|30|1988|10|10}} |- | 3 | [[File:Insigne Sanctae Luciae.svg|70px]] | Sir [[Stanislaus A. James]] {{small|(1919–2011)}} | 10 October 1988 | 1 June 1996 | {{ayd|1988|10|10|1996|6|1}} |- | 4 | [[File:GeorgeMallet02.jpg|70px]] | Sir [[George Mallet]] {{small|(1923–2010)}} | 1 June 1996 | 17 September 1997 | {{ayd|1996|6|1|1997|9|17}} |- | 5 | [[File:Dame Pearlette Louisy (cropped, 3x4).jpg|70px]] | Dame [[Pearlette Louisy]] {{small|(b. 1946)}} | 17 September 1997 | 31 December 2017 | {{ayd|1997|9|17|2017|12|31}} |- | colspan="6" | Vacant (1 – 12 January 2018) |- | 6 | [[File:Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac.jpg|70px]] | Sir [[Neville Cenac]] {{small|(b. 1939)}} | 12 January 2018 | 31 October 2021 | {{ayd|2018|1|12|2021|10|31}} |- | colspan="6" | Vacant (31 October – 11 November 2021) |- |- style="background:#e6e6aa;" | rowspan=2 | – | rowspan=2 | [[File:Errol Charles Sep 2022.jpg|70px]] | rowspan=2 | [[Errol Charles]] {{small|(b. 1942)}} {{small|Acting Governor-General}} | rowspan=2 | 11 November 2021 | rowspan=2 | 31 October 2024 | rowspan=2 | {{ayd|2021|11|11|2024|10|31}} | style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: none solid solid solid ;" | |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0" | [[File:King Charles III (July 2023).jpg|70px]] '''[[Charles III]]''' [[File:Coat of arms of Saint Lucia.svg|60px]] {{small|(2022–present)}} |- | 7 | [[File:Errol Charles Sep 2022.jpg|70px]] | Sir Errol Charles {{small|(b. 1942)}} | 1 November 2024 | ''Incumbent'' | {{ayd|2024|11|1}} |}

==See also==

* [[List of prime ministers of Saint Lucia]] * [[List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131209103135/http://www.stluciaparliament.com/the-head-of-state Head of State, Saint Lucia]}} * [http://governorgeneral.govt.lc/ Office of the Governor-General of St Lucia] *[http://www.rulers.org/ruls1.html#saint_lucia Rulers.org]

{{Saint Lucia topics}} {{Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions}} {{authority control}}

[[Category:Lists of governors-general|Saint Lucia, Governors-General]] [[Category:Politics of Saint Lucia]] [[Category:Government of Saint Lucia]] [[Category:Saint Lucia politics-related lists|Governors-General]] [[Category:Governors-general of Saint Lucia| ]] [[Category:1979 establishments in Saint Lucia]] [[Category:Saint Lucia and the Commonwealth of Nations]]