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Governor-General of Barbados
Flag of the Governor-General of Barbados.svg
Coat of arms of Barbados (3).svg
Sandra of Barbados.jpg
Final Holder
Sandra Mason

8 January 2018 – 30 November 2021
Style His/Her Excellency
Residence Government House, Barbados
Appointer Monarch of Barbados
Term length At Her Majesty's pleasure
Formation 30 November 1966
First holder John Montague Stow
Final holder Sandra Mason
Abolished 30 November 2021
Salary 220,998 BBD annually

The Governor-General of Barbados was a very important person in Barbados from 1966 to 2021. This person was the official representative of the Barbadian monarch (the Queen of Barbados) in the country. The Governor-General was seen as the most important official in the Barbados government.

This important role was created when Barbados became an independent country in 1966. The Governor-General was chosen by the monarch, but only after the Prime Minister of Barbados suggested who it should be. The Governor-General helped carry out the monarch's powers and approved new laws. However, most of the time, they acted on the advice of the Prime Minister or other Barbadian officials.

The role of Governor-General ended on November 30, 2021. On that day, Barbados became a republic, meaning it no longer had a monarch as its head of state. Instead, it now has its own President.

What Did the Governor-General Do?

The Governor-General had several important duties. They represented the monarch at special events and ceremonies. These included the official opening of Parliament and giving out awards. They also attended military parades.

Powers and Responsibilities

The Constitution of Barbados gave the Governor-General certain powers. For example, they could appoint and manage civil service officers. They could also grant pardons to people convicted of crimes. The Governor-General could also temporarily stop Parliament meetings.

However, the Governor-General usually needed the Prime Minister's approval to use these powers. They could only act completely on their own in a few special situations. The Governor-General also led the Privy Council of Barbados, which was a group of advisors.

Who Were the Governors-General of Barbados?

Barbados had eight Governors-General from 1966 until 2021. Here is a list of the people who held this important position. Some people on the list were "acting" Governors-General. This means they filled the role temporarily.

Symbols

Died in office.

     Denotes acting governors-general

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Monarch
(Reign)
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Insigne Barbatae.svg John Montague Stow
(1911–1997)
30 November
1966
18 May
1967
169 days Her Majesty The Queen (1959).jpg
Elizabeth II
Coat of arms of Barbados (3).svg
(1966–2021)
2 Insigne Barbatae.svg Arleigh Winston Scott
(1900–1976)
18 May
1967
9 August
1976
9 years,

82 days

Insigne Barbatae.svg William Douglas
(1921–2003)
Acting Governor-General
9 August
1976
17 November
1976
100 days
3 Insigne Barbatae.svg Deighton Lisle Ward
(1909–1984)
17 November
1976
9 January
1984
7 years,

53 days

Insigne Barbatae.svg William Randolph Douglas
(1921–2003)
Acting Governor-General
10 January
1984
24 February
1984
45 days
4 Insigne Barbatae.svg Hugh Springer
(1913–1994)
24 February
1984
6 June
1990
6 years,

104 days

5 Insigne Barbatae.svg Nita Barrow
(1916–1995)
6 June
1990
19 December
1995
5 years,

195 days

Insigne Barbatae.svg Denys Williams
(1929–2014)
Acting Governor-General
19 December
1995
1 June
1996
165 days
6 Clifford Husbands
(1926–2017)
1 June
1996
31 October
2011
15 years,

151 days

Elliott Belgrave 2016.jpg Elliott Belgrave
(b. 1931)
Acting Governor-General
1 November
2011
30 May
2012
211 days
Sandra Mason at Remembrance Day Parade and Service 20191110.jpg Sandra Mason
(b. 1949)
Acting Governor-General
30 May
2012
1 June
2012
2 days
7 Elliott Belgrave 2016.jpg Elliott Belgrave
(b. 1931)
1 June
2012
30 June
2017
5 years,

29 days

Insigne Barbatae.svg Philip Greaves
(b. 1931)
Acting Governor-General
1 July
2017
8 January
2018
191 days
8 Sandra Mason at Remembrance Day Parade and Service 20191110.jpg Sandra Mason
(b. 1949)
8 January
2018
30 November
2021
3 years, 326 days

Timeline of Governors-General

This timeline shows when each Governor-General served. It helps you see how long each person held the role.

Sandra Mason Philip Greaves Elliot Belgrave Sandra Mason Elliot Belgrave Clifford Husbands Denys Williams Nita Barrow Hugh Springer William Douglas Deighton Lisle Ward William Douglas Arleigh Winston Scott John Montague Stow

The Oath of Office

When a new Governor-General took office, they had to say a special promise called an oath of office. This oath showed their commitment to serving the monarch and Barbados.

The oath from the 1966 Constitution of Barbados was:

I, (name), do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors, in the office of Governor-General. So help me God.

Why the Role Ended

In September 2020, the government of Barbados announced a big change. They planned to stop having the British monarch as their head of state. This meant the role of Governor-General would also end.

Instead, Barbados decided to have its own President. This new role would be similar to the president in countries like Trinidad and Tobago. The last Governor-General, Sandra Mason, was chosen to be the first President. She took office on November 30, 2021, the same day the Governor-General role was officially abolished.

See Also

  • Government House, the official home of the Governor-General
  • Order of Barbados
  • List of prime ministers of Barbados
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