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Governor of Montserrat
Flag of the Governor of Montserrat.svg
Flag of the governor of Montserrat
Coat of arms of Montserrat.svg
Coat of arms of Montserrat
Harriet Cross 2016.jpg
Incumbent
Harriet Cross

since 23 April 2025
Viceroy
Residence Government House, Montserrat
Appointer Charles III
as King of the United Kingdom
Term length At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation 1971
First holder Willoughby Harry Thompson
Website Governor's Office Brades
Former flag of the Governor of Montserrat
Standard of the governor of Montserrat until 1999

The governor of Montserrat is a special representative for the British monarch (the King or Queen of the United Kingdom) in Montserrat. Montserrat is a small island that is a British overseas territory. This means it is part of the United Kingdom but has its own local government. The King appoints the governor, but this decision is made with advice from the British government.

The main job of the governor is to choose the island's chief minister. The chief minister is the leader of Montserrat's local government. The governor has their own special flag in Montserrat. It is the Union Flag (the UK flag) with Montserrat's coat of arms added to it. The official home of the governor is called Government House. It is located in a place called Woodlands.

History of Montserrat's Governors

Early Challenges for Governors

In 2003, about 200 people in Montserrat signed a petition. They asked the British government to remove the governor at that time, Tony Longrigg. The petition claimed that his decisions were harming the island's economy.

Governor Longrigg had stopped people who owned villas from going back to certain areas. These areas were considered dangerous because of a volcanic eruption. He made this choice based on scientific advice. This advice came from experts at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and a group called the Scientific Advisory Committee. His decision was made to keep people safe from the volcano.

List of Montserrat's Governors

Here is a list of the people who have served as governor of Montserrat:

  • Willoughby Harry Thompson (1971–1974)
  • Norman Derek Matthews (1974–1976)
  • Gwilym Wyn Jones (1977–1980)
  • David Kenneth Hay Dale (1980–1984)
  • Arthur Christopher Watson (1985–1987)
  • Christopher J. Turner (1987–1990)
  • David G. P. Taylor (1990–1993)
  • Frank Savage (1993–1997)
  • Tony Abbott (1997–2001)
  • Howard A. Fergus (2001; acting, 1st time)
  • Tony Longrigg (11 April 2001 – 2 April 2004)
  • Sir Howard A. Fergus (2004; acting, 2nd time)
  • Deborah Barnes Jones (10 May 2004 – 6 July 2007)
  • John Skerritt (6 July 2007 – 13 July 2007; acting)
  • Sir Howard A. Fergus (13 July 2007 – 27 July 2007; acting, 3rd time)
  • Peter Waterworth (27 July 2007 – 3 March 2011)
  • Sarita Francis (3 March 2011 – 8 April 2011; acting)
  • Adrian Davis (8 April 2011 – 8 July 2015)
  • Alric Taylor (8 July 2015 – 5 August 2015; acting)
  • Elizabeth Carriere (5 August 2015 – 2 January 2018)
  • Lyndell Simpson (2 January 2018 – 1 February 2018; acting)
  • Andrew Pearce (1 February 2018 – 7 March 2022)
  • Lyndell Simpson (7 March 2022 – 6 April 2022; acting)
  • Sarah Tucker (6 April 2022 – 8 April 2025)
  • Lindorna Sweeney (8 April 2025 – 23 April 2025; acting)
  • Harriet Cross (23 April 2025 – present)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gobernador de Montserrat para niños

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