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Governor-General of Grenada
Flag of the Governor-General of Grenada.svg
Coat of arms of Grenada.svg
Coat of arms of Grenada
Cecile La Grenade 2022-07-01.jpg
Incumbent
Dame Cécile La Grenade

since 7 May 2013
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
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.

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

US Ambassador to Grenada Linda Swartz Taglialatela presenting her credentials to Governor-General Cecile La Grenade

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

Flag of the Governor-General of Grenada
Flag of the Governor-General of Grenada

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)
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Coat of arms of Grenada (shield).svg Sir Leo de Gale
(1921–1986)
7 February
1974
4 October
1978
4 years, 239 days Her Majesty The Queen (1959).jpg
Elizabeth II
Coat of arms of Grenada.svg
(1974–2022)
2 Paul Scoon (cropped).jpg Sir Paul Scoon
(1935–2013)
4 October
1978
31 July
1992
13 years, 301 days
Coat of arms of Grenada (shield).svg Reginald Palmer
(1923–2016)
Acting Governor-General
31 July
1992
6 August
1992
6 days
3 Coat of arms of Grenada (shield).svg Sir Reginald Palmer
(1923–2016)
6 August
1992
8 August
1996
4 years, 2 days
4 Sir Daniel Williams (cropped).jpg Sir Daniel Williams
(1935–2024)
8 August
1996
18 November
2008
12 years, 102 days
Vacant (18 – 27 November 2008)
5 SirCarlyleGlean.jpg Sir Carlyle Glean
(1932–2021)
27 November
2008
7 May
2013
4 years, 161 days
6 Cecile La Grenade 2022-07-01.jpg Dame Cécile La Grenade
(b. 1952)
7 May
2013
Incumbent 12 years, 49 days
King Charles III (July 2023).jpg
Charles III
Coat of arms of Grenada.svg
(2022–present)

See Also

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