kids encyclopedia robot

Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Flag of the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg
Coat of Arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg
Coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Marcella Liburd 2023.jpg
Incumbent
Marcella Liburd

since 1 February 2023
Style Her Excellency
Residence Government House, Basseterre
Appointer Monarch of Saint Kitts and Nevis
on the advice of the prime minister
Term length At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation 19 September 1983; 41 years ago (1983-09-19)
First holder Sir Clement Arrindell
Salary EC$138,000 annually


The Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a very important person in the country. They act as the representative of the King of Saint Kitts and Nevis, who is currently King Charles III. The Governor-General is appointed to this role.

The current Governor-General is Marcella Liburd. She lives in a special building called Government House in Basseterre. This house is her official home while she is in office.

What is the Governor-General's Role?

The job of the Governor-General is set up by the country's main rule book, called the Constitution. Section 21 of the Constitution says that the King appoints the Governor-General. This person serves for as long as the King wishes. To be the Governor-General, a person must be a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Who Has Been Governor-General?

Here is a list of the people who have served as Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis. This role started when the country became independent in 1983.

     This means they were acting as Governor-General for a short time.

No. Picture Name
(Born–Died)
Time in Office Monarch
(Years on Throne)
Started Ended How Long
1 Sir Clement Arrindell
(1931–2011)
September 19
1983
December 31
1995
12 years, 103 days Her Majesty The Queen (1959).jpg
Elizabeth II
Coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg
(1983–2022)
2 SirCuthbertSebastian.jpg Sir Cuthbert Sebastian
(1921–2017)
January 1
1996
January 1
2013
17 years, 0 days
3 GovEdmundLawrence.jpg Sir Edmund Lawrence
(b. 1932)
January 2
2013
May 19
2015
2 years, 137 days
Tapley Seaton 2018.jpg Tapley Seaton
(1950–2023)
Acting Governor-General
May 19
2015
September 2
2015
106 days
4 Tapley Seaton 2018.jpg Sir Tapley Seaton
(1950–2023)
September 2
2015
January 31
2023
7 years, 151 days
King Charles III (July 2023).jpg
Charles III
Coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg
(2022–present)
5 Marcella Liburd 2023.jpg Dame Marcella Liburd
(b. 1953)
February 1
2023
Still in Office 2 years, 137 days

What Does the Governor-General Do?

The Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis explains the powers and duties of the Governor-General. These rules are found in Chapter III, Sections 21 to 24.

When the Governor-General is Away

If the Governor-General's office is empty, or if the person holding the job is away from Saint Kitts and Nevis, someone else steps in. The King appoints this temporary person to do the job. This temporary person stops working when the main Governor-General returns or is ready to take over again.

Having a Deputy Governor-General

Sometimes, the Governor-General might need help or be away for a short time. In these cases, they can appoint a "deputy" to help them.

  • If the Governor-General is away from the main government office but still in the country, or if they are away from Saint Kitts and Nevis for a short time, they can choose someone to be their deputy. This deputy performs specific duties for them.
  • There is also a special Deputy Governor-General appointed for the island of Nevis. This person helps with duties related to Nevis, like approving laws passed by the Nevis Island Assembly.

The Governor-General's main powers are not changed by having a deputy. The deputy must follow the Governor-General's instructions.

Taking an Oath

Before anyone can start working as the Governor-General or a deputy, they must take two important oaths. These are the oath of allegiance (promising loyalty) and the oath of office (promising to do their job well).

See also

kids search engine
Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.