Governor-General of Saint Lucia

Template:Short description Template:Infobox official post Template:Politics of Saint Lucia

The governor-general of Saint Lucia (Saint Lucian Creole French: Gouvènè Jennéwal Sent Lisi)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is the representative of the Saint Lucian monarch, currently Template:Current Saint Lucian monarch, in Saint Lucia. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Saint Lucia. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by 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 residenceTemplate:Mdash Government House in the capital, Castries Template:Mdashand 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 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

The governor-general is formally appointed by the monarch of Saint Lucia. When a new governor-general is to be appointed, the 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>Template:Cite web</ref>

Functions

Saint Lucia shares the person of the sovereign equally with 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 his or her behalf. As such, the governor-general carries out his or her 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 Saint Lucia, members of the 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>Template:Cite web</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

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

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>Template:Cite web</ref>

Privileges

The governor-general, serves as the Chancellor of the Order of Saint Lucia, established by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Salary

The governor-general receives an annual salary of 36,112 USD.<ref name="finance.gov.lc">Template:Cite web</ref>

Symbols

The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a lion passant atop a St. Edward's 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 in Castries is the official residence of the governor-general of Saint Lucia.<ref>Template:Cite web</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.

Template:Legend

Template:Abbr	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Monarch (Reign)
Template:Abbr	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Monarch (Reign)
1		Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis Template:Small	22 February 1979	19 June 1980	Template:Ayd	Elizabeth II (1979–2022)
2		Boswell Williams Template:Small	19 June 1980	12 December 1982	Template:Ayd
(1)		Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis Template:Small	13 December 1982	30 April 1987	Template:Ayd
–		Vincent Floissac Template:Small Template:Small	30 April 1987	10 October 1988	Template:Ayd
3		Sir Stanislaus A. James Template:Small	10 October 1988	1 June 1996	Template:Ayd
4		Sir George Mallet Template:Small	1 June 1996	17 September 1997	Template:Ayd
5		Dame Pearlette Louisy Template:Small	17 September 1997	31 December 2017	Template:Ayd
Vacant (1 – 12 January 2018)
6		Sir Neville Cenac Template:Small	12 January 2018	31 October 2021	Template:Ayd
Vacant (31 October – 11 November 2021)
–		Errol Charles Template:Small Template:Small	11 November 2021	31 October 2024	Template:Ayd
–		Errol Charles Template:Small Template:Small	11 November 2021	31 October 2024	Template:Ayd	Charles III Template:Small
7		Sir Errol Charles Template:Small	1 November 2024	Incumbent	Template:Ayd	Charles III Template:Small