The governor-general of Saint Lucia (Saint Lucian Creole French: Gouvènè Jennéwal Sent Lisi) is the representative of the Saint Lucian monarch, currently , 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 residenceGovernment House in the capital, Castriesand 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
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 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.
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 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.
The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives royal assent to laws passed by the Parliament of Saint Lucia.
Privileges
The governor-general, serves as the Chancellor of the Order of Saint Lucia, established by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.
Salary
The governor-general receives an annual salary of US$36,112.
Symbols
thumb|Flag of the governor-general of Saint Lucia
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.
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.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |
! rowspan="2" | Portrait
! rowspan="2" | Name<br><small>(Birth–Death)</small>
! colspan="3" | Term of office
! rowspan="2" | Monarch<br><small>(Reign)</small>
|-
!Took office
!Left office
!Time in office
|-
| 1
| 70px
| Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis<br />
| <small>22 February</small><br>1979
| <small>19 June</small><br>1980
|
| rowspan="10" style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: solid solid none solid ;" | 70px<br>Elizabeth II<br>60px<br><small>(1979–2022)</small>
|-
| 2
| 70px
| Boswell Williams<br />
| <small>19 June</small><br>1980
| <small>12 December</small><br>1982
|
|-
| (1)
| 70px
| Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis<br />
| <small>13 December</small><br>1982
| <small>30 April</small><br>1987
|
|-
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| –
| 70px
| Vincent Floissac<br /><br>
| <small>30 April</small><br>1987
| <small>10 October</small><br>1988
|
|-
| 3
| 70px
| Sir Stanislaus A. James<br />
| <small>10 October</small><br>1988
| <small>1 June</small><br>1996
|
|-
| 4
| 70px
| Sir George Mallet<br />
| <small>1 June</small><br>1996
| <small>17 September</small><br>1997
|
|-
| 5
| 70px
| Dame Pearlette Louisy<br />
| <small>17 September</small><br>1997
| <small>31 December</small><br>2017
|
|-
| colspan="6" | Vacant (1 – 12 January 2018)
|-
| 6
| 70px
| Sir Neville Cenac<br />
| <small>12 January</small><br>2018
| <small>31 October</small><br>2021
|
|-
| colspan="6" | Vacant (31 October – 11 November 2021)
|-
|- style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| rowspan=2 | –
| rowspan=2 | 70px
| rowspan=2 | Errol Charles<br /><br>
| rowspan=2 | <small>11 November</small><br>2021
| rowspan=2 | <small>31 October</small><br>2024
| rowspan=2 |
| style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: none solid solid solid ;" |
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0" | 70px<br>Charles III<br>60px<br />
|-
| 7
| 70px
| Sir Errol Charles<br />
| <small>1 November</small><br>2024
| Incumbent
|
|}
See also
- List of prime ministers of Saint Lucia
- List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia
References
External links
- Office of the Governor-General of St Lucia
- Rulers.org