Governor-General of Grenada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor-General of Grenada |
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Coat of arms of Grenada
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| Viceroy | |
| Style | Her Excellency |
| Residence | Governor-General’s House, Point Salines, St. George's |
| Appointer | Monarch of Grenada
on the advice of the prime minister
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| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Grenada |
| Formation | 7 February 1974 |
| First holder | Sir Leo de Gale |
| Salary | EC$ 148,539 annually |
| Website | Office of the Governor-General |
The Governor-General of Grenada is a very important person in Grenada. They represent the King or Queen of Grenada, who is currently King Charles III. The Governor-General is chosen by the monarch, but only after the prime minister of Grenada suggests who it should be.
This role has many duties. The Governor-General helps appoint important people like ministers, judges, and ambassadors. They also approve new laws passed by the Grenadian Parliament. They also announce when new elections will happen.
The Governor-General usually stays neutral in politics. They follow the rules of the Westminster system, which means they act on the advice of the prime minister. They also have a special role in ceremonies. They host events at their official home in St. George's. They also give awards to people who have done great things for Grenada. When the Governor-General travels, they represent Grenada and its monarch.
Governors-General serve "at the monarch's pleasure". This means they serve as long as the monarch wishes. Since May 7, 2013, Dame Cécile La Grenade has been the Governor-General.
The job of Governor-General started on February 7, 1974. This was when Grenada became an independent country, separate from the United Kingdom. Since then, six people have served in this important role.
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How the Governor-General is Chosen
The monarch of Grenada officially appoints the Governor-General. When it's time for a new Governor-General, the prime minister suggests a name to the monarch. The monarch usually agrees with this suggestion. During a special ceremony, the new Governor-General takes an oath. This oath promises loyalty and to do their job well.
What the Governor-General Does
Grenada shares its monarch with 14 other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Since the monarch lives outside Grenada, the Governor-General's main job is to do the monarch's duties in Grenada. They act for the monarch but do not manage the daily running of the government.
The powers and roles of the Governor-General come from Sections 19 to 22 of Grenada's constitution. These sections explain what the Governor-General can do.
Constitutional Duties
The Governor-General is in charge of starting, pausing, and ending parliament meetings. They also announce new elections. After an election, the Governor-General officially asks the leader of the winning political party to form a government. They then appoint the prime minister and other ministers.
On behalf of the monarch, the Governor-General gives royal assent to laws. This means they officially approve laws passed by the Parliament of Grenada.
The Governor-General also appoints judges, ministers, and ambassadors to other countries. They also appoint other important government officials.
Sometimes, the Governor-General can make decisions without or against the advice of ministers. These are called "reserve powers." They include:
- Choosing a prime minister if an election doesn't have a clear winner.
- Removing a prime minister who has lost the support of parliament.
- Removing any minister who is breaking the law.
- Refusing to end the House of Representatives, even if the prime minister asks.
Ceremonial Duties
The Governor-General has many ceremonial duties. They open new sessions of parliament with a special speech. They welcome leaders from other countries. They also receive official papers from foreign diplomats.
The Governor-General is also the head of Grenada's two national awards: the Order of Grenada (which includes the Order of the Nation) and the Order of the National Hero. They are responsible for choosing who receives these awards. These honours are given out by the Governor-General at special ceremonies at Governor-General's House in St. George's. In 2023, Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenade held a ceremony on the island of Petite Martinique. This was the first time an award ceremony happened outside the official residence.
Community Involvement
The Governor-General leads the community in a way that is not political. They support many charities, sports groups, and cultural organizations. They attend events all over the country. For example, the Governor-General supports the Grenada Red Cross Society and the Grenada Yacht Club. They are also the president of the Grenada Council of the Order of Saint John.
The Governor-General also helps bring Grenadians together. In this role, they:
- Attend charity, social, and community events.
- Become a patron for many national and local groups.
- Visit and give speeches at non-government organizations.
Special Privileges
Salary
The Governor-General earns a yearly salary of EC$ 148,539.
Symbols of Office
The Governor-General has their own special flag. It shows a lion and a crown on a blue background, with "Grenada" written below. This flag is flown on buildings and other places when the Governor-General is present.
Official Home
Government House in St. George's used to be the official home of the Governor-General. But it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Since then, the Governor-General has lived in a different home in Point Salines, which is south of the capital.
List of Governors-General
Here is a list of the people who have served as Governor-General of Grenada since it became independent in 1974.
Denotes Acting Governors-General
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Monarch (Reign) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
| 1 | .svg) |
Sir Leo de Gale (1921–1986) |
7 February 1974 |
4 October 1978 |
4 years, 239 days | .jpg) Elizabeth II (1974–2022) |
| 2 | .jpg) |
Sir Paul Scoon (1935–2013) |
4 October 1978 |
31 July 1992 |
13 years, 301 days | |
| – | |
Reginald Palmer (1923–2016) Acting Governor-General |
31 July 1992 |
6 August 1992 |
6 days | |
| 3 | |
Sir Reginald Palmer (1923–2016) |
6 August 1992 |
8 August 1996 |
4 years, 2 days | |
| 4 | .jpg) |
Sir Daniel Williams (1935–2024) |
8 August 1996 |
18 November 2008 |
12 years, 102 days | |
| Vacant (18 – 27 November 2008) | ||||||
| 5 |  |
Sir Carlyle Glean (1932–2021) |
27 November 2008 |
7 May 2013 |
4 years, 161 days | |
| 6 |  |
Dame Cécile La Grenade (b. 1952) |
7 May 2013 |
Incumbent | 12 years, 49 days | |
.jpg) Charles III (2022–present) |
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See Also
