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Governor of Gibraltar
Flag of the Governor of Gibraltar.svg
Flag
Coat of arms of Gibraltar1.svg
Coat of arms of Gibraltar
Wins silver bugle (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Sir Ben Bathurst
since 4 June 2024
Style His Excellency
Residence The Convent, Main Street, Gibraltar
Appointer Monarch
Term length At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation 24 July 1704; 320 years ago (1704-07-24)
First holder Sir George Rooke
Website Office of the Governor


The Governor of Gibraltar is a very important person in Gibraltar. They represent the British monarch (currently King Charles III) in this British overseas territory. The King or Queen chooses the Governor based on advice from the British government.

The Governor acts like the de facto head of state for Gibraltar. This means they have many key responsibilities. For example, after an election, they officially appoint the Chief Minister and other members of the government of Gibraltar. The Governor is also the main leader of Gibraltar's military forces. They are completely in charge of defence and security for the territory.

The Governor has their own special flag in Gibraltar. It's the Union Flag with Gibraltar's coat of arms added to it. At the Governor's official home, called The Convent, both the Union Flag and the flag of Gibraltar are flown.

Who is the Governor of Gibraltar?

The Governor of Gibraltar is a very important role. They are chosen by the British monarch. This person acts as the head of state for Gibraltar. They make sure that the government runs smoothly. They also look after the defence and safety of Gibraltar.

The Governor's Main Jobs

The Governor has several key duties. They officially appoint the Chief Minister after an election. They also appoint other members of the government.

Another big part of their job is being the commander-in-chief of Gibraltar's military. This means they are in charge of all the armed forces there. Their main focus is on keeping Gibraltar safe and secure.

The Governor's Flag and Home

The Governor has a special flag that flies in Gibraltar. It's the Union Flag with the Gibraltar coat of arms in the middle. This flag shows that they represent the British monarch.

The official home of the Governor is called The Convent. It's a historic building on Main Street. Both the Union Flag and the flag of Gibraltar fly there.

A Look Back: Governors Through History

Gibraltar has had many Governors since it became a British territory. The first Governor was Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt in 1704. Over the centuries, many different people have held this important position.

Key Moments in the Governor's Role

  • 1704: The role of Governor began when Gibraltar was first occupied by Habsburg forces.
  • 1713: Spain officially gave Gibraltar to Great Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht. This made the Governor's role even more important.
  • 1830: Gibraltar became a British Crown colony. This changed some of the Governor's duties.
  • 1981: Gibraltar became a British dependent territory under the British Nationality Act 1981.
  • 2002: Gibraltar was reclassified as a British overseas territory under the British Overseas Territories Act 2002.

Recent Governors of Gibraltar

Here are some of the more recent people who have served as Governor:

  • Sir David Durie (2000-2003)
  • Sir Francis Richards (2003-2006)
  • Sir Robert Fulton (2006-2009)
  • Sir Adrian Johns (2009-2013)
  • Sir James Dutton (2013-2015)
  • Ed Davis (2016-2020)
  • Sir David Steel (2020-2024)
  • Sir Ben Bathurst (2024-present)

See also

  • The Convent - The official residence of the Governor.
  • Flag of the governor of Gibraltar - Learn more about the Governor's flag.
  • Chief Minister of Gibraltar - The head of government in Gibraltar.

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