List of prime ministers of Elizabeth II facts for kids

From becoming queen on 6 February 1952, Elizabeth II was head of state of 32 independent states; at the time of her death, there were 15 states, called Commonwealth realms. Within the Westminster system in each realm, the Queen's government was headed by a prime minister. Appointment and dismissal of prime ministers were common reserve powers that could be exercised by Elizabeth or her governors-general.

Elizabeth had 179 individuals serve as her realms' prime ministers throughout her reign, the first new appointment being Dudley Senanayake as Prime Minister of Ceylon and the final being Liz Truss as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, whom she appointed only two days before her death; some of these individuals served multiple non-consecutive terms in office (within the same state) as prime minister. Several of her prime ministers from various realms were appointed for life to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

This list does not cover Commonwealth nations that are not, or have not been, Commonwealth realms, nor holders of offices of prime minister in colonies or sub-national entities such as states or provinces.

List of prime ministers

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda became independent on 1 November 1981 with Vere Bird as the first prime minister. Bird had previously been Premier of Antigua.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Vere Bird (1910–1999)	1 November 1981	9 March 1994
2		Lester Bird (1938–2021)	9 March 1994	24 August 2004
3		Baldwin Spencer (b. 1948)	24 August 2004	13 June 2014
4		Gaston Browne (b. 1967)	13 June 2014	Incumbent

Reference

Australia

Robert Menzies was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Robert Menzies (1894–1978)	19 December 1949	26 January 1966
2		Harold Holt (1908–1967)	26 January 1966	19 December 1967
3		John McEwen (1900–1980)	19 December 1967	10 January 1968
4		John Gorton (1911–2002)	10 January 1968	10 March 1971
5		William McMahon (1908–1988)	10 March 1971	5 December 1972
6		Gough Whitlam (1916–2014)	5 December 1972	11 November 1975
7		Malcolm Fraser (1930–2015)	11 November 1975	11 March 1983
8		Bob Hawke (1929–2019)	11 March 1983	20 December 1991
9		Paul Keating (b. 1944)	20 December 1991	11 March 1996
10		John Howard (b. 1939)	11 March 1996	3 December 2007
11		Kevin Rudd (b. 1957)	3 December 2007	24 June 2010
12		Julia Gillard (b. 1961)	24 June 2010	27 June 2013
(11)		Kevin Rudd (b. 1957)	27 June 2013	18 September 2013
13		Tony Abbott (b. 1957)	18 September 2013	15 September 2015
14		Malcolm Turnbull (b. 1954)	15 September 2015	24 August 2018
15		Scott Morrison (b. 1968)	24 August 2018	23 May 2022
16		Anthony Albanese (b. 1963)	23 May 2022	Incumbent

Reference

The Bahamas

The Bahamas became independent on 10 July 1973 with Lynden Pindling as the first prime minister. Pindling had previously been the prime minister of the self-governing Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Lynden Pindling (1930–2000)	10 July 1973	21 August 1992
2		Hubert Ingraham (b. 1947)	21 August 1992	3 May 2002
3		Perry Christie (b. 1943)	3 May 2002	4 May 2007
(2)		Hubert Ingraham (b. 1947)	4 May 2007	8 May 2012
(3)		Perry Christie (b. 1943)	8 May 2012	11 May 2017
4		Hubert Minnis (b. 1954)	11 May 2017	17 September 2021
5		Philip Davis (b. 1951)	17 September 2021	Incumbent

Reference

Barbados

Barbados became independent on 30 November 1966 with Errol Barrow as the first prime minister. Barrow had previously been Premier of Barbados.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Errol Barrow (1920–1987)	30 November 1966	8 September 1976
2		Tom Adams (1931–1985)	8 September 1976	11 March 1985
3		Harold Bernard St. John (1931–2004)	11 March 1985	29 May 1986
(1)		Errol Barrow (1920–1987)	29 May 1986	1 June 1987
4		Lloyd Erskine Sandiford (1937–2023)	1 June 1987	7 September 1994
5		Owen Arthur (1945–2020)	7 September 1994	16 January 2008
6		David Thompson (1961–2010)	16 January 2008	23 October 2010
7		Freundel Stuart (b. 1951)	23 October 2010	25 May 2018
8		Mia Mottley (b. 1965)	25 May 2018	Incumbent

Reference

Barbados abolished the monarchy on 30 November 2021. Mottley remained in office as the republic's first prime minister.

Belize

Belize became independent on 21 September 1981 with George Cadle Price as the first prime minister. Price had previously been Premier of Belize.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		George Cadle Price (1919–2011)	21 September 1981	17 December 1984
2		Manuel Esquivel (1940–2022)	17 December 1984	7 November 1989
(1)		George Cadle Price (1919–2011)	7 November 1989	3 July 1993
(2)		Manuel Esquivel (1940–2022)	3 July 1993	28 August 1998
3		Said Musa (b. 1944)	28 August 1998	8 February 2008
4		Dean Barrow (b. 1951)	8 February 2008	12 November 2020
5		Johnny Briceño (b. 1960)	12 November 2020	Incumbent

Reference

Canada

Louis St. Laurent was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Louis St. Laurent (1882–1973)	15 November 1948	21 June 1957
2		John Diefenbaker (1895–1979)	21 June 1957	22 April 1963
3		Lester B. Pearson (1897–1972)	22 April 1963	20 April 1968
4		Pierre Trudeau (1919–2000)	20 April 1968	4 June 1979
5		Joe Clark (b. 1939)	4 June 1979	3 March 1980
(4)		Pierre Trudeau (1919–2000)	3 March 1980	30 June 1984
6		John Turner (1929–2020)	30 June 1984	17 September 1984
7		Brian Mulroney (b. 1939)	17 September 1984	25 June 1993
8		Kim Campbell (b. 1947)	25 June 1993	4 November 1993
9		Jean Chrétien (b. 1934)	4 November 1993	12 December 2003
10		Paul Martin (b. 1938)	12 December 2003	6 February 2006
11		Stephen Harper (b. 1959)	6 February 2006	4 November 2015
12		Justin Trudeau (b. 1971)	4 November 2015	Incumbent

Reference

Ceylon

D. S. Senanayake was the incumbent prime minister of Ceylon when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		D. S. Senanayake (1883–1952)	24 September 1947	22 March 1952
2		Dudley Senanayake (1911–1973)	26 March 1952	12 October 1953
3		John Kotelawala (1895–1980)	12 October 1953	12 April 1956
4		S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike (1899–1959)	12 April 1956	26 September 1959
5		Wijeyananda Dahanayake (1901–1997)	26 September 1959	20 March 1960
(2)		Dudley Senanayake (1911–1973)	21 March 1960	21 July 1960
6		Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1916–2000)	21 July 1960	27 March 1965
(2)		Dudley Senanayake (1911–1973)	27 March 1965	29 May 1970
(6)		Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1916–2000)	29 May 1970	23 July 1977

Reference

Ceylon abolished the monarchy on 22 May 1972 and became the Republic of Sri Lanka. Bandaranaike remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 23 July 1977.

Fiji

Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970 with Kamisese Mara as the first prime minister. Mara had previously been Chief Minister of Fiji.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Kamisese Mara (1920–2004)	10 October 1970	13 April 1987
2		Timoci Bavadra (1934–1989)	13 April 1987	14 May 1987

Reference

Following the 1987 Fijian coups d'état (which resulted in a vacancy in the premiership until December 1987), on 7 October 1987, the new ruling regime declared the nation to have become the Republic of Fiji. Fiji's relationship with the monarchy after this transition is complex (see Monarchy of Fiji).

Gambia

The Gambia became independent on 18 February 1965 with Dawda Jawara as the first prime minister. Jawara had previously been prime minister of the self-governing Gambia.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Dawda Jawara (1924–2019)	6 March 1965	24 April 1970

Reference

The Gambia abolished the monarchy on 24 April 1970, via referendum. Jawara became President of the Gambia on the same day as the post of prime minister was abolished.

Ghana

Ghana became independent on 15 August 1957, with Kwame Nkrumah as its first prime minister. Nkrumah had previously been prime minister of the self-governing Gold Coast.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972)	15 August 1957	1 July 1960

Reference

Ghana abolished the monarchy on 1 July 1960, via referendum. Nkrumah became President of Ghana on the same day as the post of prime minister was abolished.

Grenada

Grenada became independent on 7 February 1974 with Eric Gairy as the first prime minister. Gairy had previously been Premier of Grenada.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Eric Gairy (1922–1997)	7 February 1974	13 March 1979
2		Maurice Bishop (1944–1983) (see Anomalous cases § Grenada (1979–1984) below)	13 March 1979	19 October 1983
3		Herbert Blaize (1918–1989)	4 December 1984	19 December 1989
4		Ben Jones (1924–2005)	19 December 1989	16 March 1990
5		Nicholas Brathwaite (1925–2016)	16 March 1990	1 February 1995
6		George Brizan (1942–2012)	1 February 1995	22 June 1995
7		Keith Mitchell (b. 1946)	22 June 1995	9 July 2008
8		Tillman Thomas (b. 1947)	9 July 2008	20 February 2013
(7)		Keith Mitchell (b. 1946)	20 February 2013	24 June 2022
9		Dickon Mitchell (b. 1978)	24 June 2022	Incumbent

Reference

Guyana

Guyana became independent on 26 May 1966, with Forbes Burnham as its first prime minister. Burnham had previously been Premier of British Guiana.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Forbes Burnham (1923–1985)	26 May 1966	6 October 1980

Reference

Guyana abolished the monarchy on 23 February 1970. Burnham remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 6 October 1980.

Jamaica

Jamaica became independent on 6 August 1962 with Alexander Bustamante as the first prime minister. Bustamante had previously been Premier of Jamaica.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Alexander Bustamante (1884–1977)	6 August 1962	23 February 1967
2		Donald Sangster (1911–1967)	23 February 1967	11 April 1967
3		Hugh Shearer (1923–2004)	11 April 1967	2 March 1972
4		Michael Manley (1924–1997)	2 March 1972	1 November 1980
5		Edward Seaga (1930–2019)	1 November 1980	10 February 1989
(4)		Michael Manley (1924–1997)	10 February 1989	30 March 1992
6		P. J. Patterson (b. 1935)	30 March 1992	30 March 2006
7		Portia Simpson-Miller (b. 1945)	30 March 2006	11 September 2007
8		Bruce Golding (b. 1947)	11 September 2007	23 October 2011
9		Andrew Holness (b. 1972)	23 October 2011	5 January 2012
(7)		Portia Simpson-Miller (b. 1945)	5 January 2012	3 March 2016
(9)		Andrew Holness (b. 1972)	3 March 2016	Incumbent

Reference

Kenya

Kenya became independent on 12 December 1963, with Jomo Kenyatta becoming the first prime minister. Kenyatta had previously been prime minister of self-governing Kenya.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Jomo Kenyatta (1891–1978)	12 December 1963	12 December 1964

Reference

Kenya abolished the monarchy on 12 December 1964. Kenyatta became President of Kenya as the post of prime minister was abolished.

Malawi

Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964, with Hastings Banda as prime minister. Banda had previously been prime minister of self-governing Nyasaland.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Hastings Banda (1898–1997)	6 July 1964	6 July 1966

Reference

Malawi abolished the monarchy on 6 July 1966. Banda became President of Malawi as the post of prime minister was abolished.

Malta

The Crown Colony of Malta became independent as the State of Malta on 21 September 1964 with George Borg Olivier as prime minister. Olivier had previously been the colony's prime minister.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		George Borg Olivier (1911–1980)	21 September 1964	21 June 1971
2		Dom Mintoff (1916–2012)	21 June 1971	22 December 1984

Reference

Malta abolished the monarchy on 13 December 1974 and became the current Republic of Malta, a republic within the Commonwealth. Mintoff remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 22 December 1984.

Mauritius

Mauritius became independent on 12 March 1968, with Seewoosagur Ramgoolam becoming the first prime minister. Ramgoolam had previously been Chief Minister of Mauritius.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1900–1985)	12 March 1968	30 June 1982
2		Anerood Jugnauth (1930–2021)	30 June 1982	15 December 1995

Reference

Mauritius abolished the monarchy on 12 March 1992. Jugnauth remained in office as the republic's prime minister until 15 December 1995.

New Zealand

Sidney Holland was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Sidney Holland (1893–1961)	13 December 1949	20 September 1957
2		Keith Holyoake (1904–1983)	20 September 1957	12 December 1957
3		Walter Nash (1882–1968)	12 December 1957	12 December 1960
(2)		Keith Holyoake (1904–1983)	12 December 1960	7 February 1972
4		Jack Marshall (1912–1988)	7 February 1972	8 December 1972
5		Norman Kirk (1923–1974)	8 December 1972	31 August 1974†
N/A		Hugh Watt (1912–1980) Acting Prime Minister	31 August 1974	6 September 1974
6		Bill Rowling (1927–1995)	6 September 1974	12 December 1975
7		Robert Muldoon (1921–1992)	12 December 1975	26 July 1984
8		David Lange (1942–2005)	26 July 1984	8 August 1989
9		Geoffrey Palmer (b. 1942)	8 August 1989	4 September 1990
10		Mike Moore (1949–2020)	4 September 1990	2 November 1990
11		Jim Bolger (b. 1935)	2 November 1990	8 December 1997
12		Jenny Shipley (b. 1952)	8 December 1997	5 December 1999
13		Helen Clark (b. 1950)	5 December 1999	19 November 2008
14		John Key (b. 1961)	19 November 2008	12 December 2016
15		Bill English (b. 1961)	12 December 2016	26 October 2017
16		Jacinda Ardern (b. 1980)	26 October 2017	25 January 2023

Reference

Nigeria

The Federation of Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960, with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa becoming the first prime minister. Balewa had previously been Chief Minister of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912–1966)	1 October 1960	15 January 1966

Reference

Nigeria became the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 1 October 1963. Balewa remained in office as the republic's prime minister until his overthrow and assassination in the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état on 15 January 1966.

Pakistan

Khawaja Nazimuddin was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Khawaja Nazimuddin (1894–1964)	17 October 1951	17 April 1953
2		Mohammad Ali Bogra (1909–1963)	17 April 1953	12 August 1955
3		Chaudhry Muhammad Ali (1905–1982)	12 August 1955	12 September 1956

Reference

Pakistan abolished the monarchy on 23 March 1956. Ali remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 12 September 1956.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea became independent on 16 September 1975 with Michael Somare as the first prime minister. Somare had previously been Chief Minister of Papua New Guinea.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Michael Somare (1936–2021)	16 September 1975	11 March 1980
2		Julius Chan (b. 1939)	11 March 1980	2 August 1982
(1)		Michael Somare (1936–2021)	2 August 1982	21 November 1985
3		Paias Wingti (b. 1951)	21 November 1985	4 July 1988
4		Rabbie Namaliu (b. 1947)	4 July 1988	17 July 1992
(3)		Paias Wingti (b. 1951)	17 July 1992	30 August 1994
(2)		Julius Chan (b. 1939)	30 August 1994	27 March 1997
N/A		John Giheno (1950–2017) Acting Prime Minister	27 March 1997	2 June 1997
(2)		Julius Chan (b. 1939)	2 June 1997	22 July 1997
5		Bill Skate (1953–2006)	22 July 1997	14 July 1999
6		Mekere Morauta (1946–2020)	14 July 1999	5 August 2002
(1)		Michael Somare (1936–2021)	5 August 2002	2 August 2011 / 3 August 2012
7		Peter O'Neill (b. 1965)	2 August 2011 / 3 August 2012	30 May 2019
8		James Marape (b. 1971)	30 May 2019	Incumbent

Reference

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis became independent on 19 September 1983 with Kennedy Simmonds as the first prime minister. Simmonds had previously been Premier of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Kennedy Simmonds (b. 1936)	19 September 1983	7 July 1995
2		Denzil Douglas (b. 1953)	7 July 1995	18 February 2015
3		Timothy Harris (b. 1964)	18 February 2015	6 August 2022
4		Terrance Drew (b. 1976)	6 August 2022	Incumbent

Reference

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia became independent on 22 February 1979 with John Compton as the first prime minister. Compton had previously been Premier of Saint Lucia.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		John Compton (1925–2007)	22 February 1979	2 July 1979
2		Allan Louisy (1916–2011)	2 July 1979	4 May 1981
3		Winston Cenac (1925–2004)	4 May 1981	17 January 1982
N/A		Michael Pilgrim (b. 1947) Acting Prime Minister	17 January 1982	3 May 1982
(1)		John Compton (1925–2007)	3 May 1982	2 April 1996
4		Vaughan Lewis (b. 1940)	2 April 1996	24 May 1997
5		Kenny Anthony (b. 1951)	24 May 1997	15 December 2006
(1)		John Compton (1925–2007)	15 December 2006	7 September 2007
6		Stephenson King (b. 1958)	7 September 2007	30 November 2011
(5)		Kenny Anthony (b. 1951)	30 November 2011	7 June 2016
7		Allen Chastanet (b. 1960)	7 June 2016	28 July 2021
8		Philip Pierre (b. 1954)	28 July 2021	Incumbent

Reference

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became independent on 27 October 1979 with Milton Cato as the first prime minister. Cato had previously been Premier of Saint Vincent.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Milton Cato (1915–1997)	27 October 1979	30 July 1984
2		James Fitz-Allen Mitchell (1931–2021)	30 July 1984	27 October 2000
3		Arnhim Eustace (b. 1944)	27 October 2000	29 March 2001
4		Ralph Gonsalves (b. 1946)	29 March 2001	Incumbent

Reference

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone became independent on 27 April 1961, with Milton Margai as the first prime minister. Margai had previously been Prime Minister of the Protectorate of Sierra Leone.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Milton Margai (1895–1964)	27 April 1961	28 April 1964
2		Albert Margai (1910–1980)	28 April 1964	21 March 1967
3		Siaka Stevens (1905–1988)	28 April 1967	21 April 1971

Reference

Siaka Stevens assumed the role of prime minister following his party's narrow victory in the 1967 general election. However, immediately after taking office, Stevens was deposed by the National Reformation Council in a coup d'état and placed under house arrest. Military rule persisted until an April 1968 counter-coup restored Stevens' premiership.

Sierra Leone became the Republic of Sierra Leone on 19 April 1971. Stevens left the office of prime minister two days later and became President of Sierra Leone. The office of the prime minister was later abolished on 15 June 1978.

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands became independent on 7 July 1978 with Peter Kenilorea as the first prime minister.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Peter Kenilorea (1943–2016)	7 July 1978	31 August 1981
2		Solomon Mamaloni (1943–2000)	31 August 1981	19 November 1984
(1)		Peter Kenilorea (1943–2016)	19 November 1984	1 December 1986
3		Ezekiel Alebua (1947–2022)	1 December 1986	28 March 1989
(2)		Solomon Mamaloni (1943–2000)	28 March 1989	18 June 1993
4		Francis Billy Hilly (b. 1948)	18 June 1993	7 November 1994
(2)		Solomon Mamaloni (1943–2000)	7 November 1994	27 August 1997
5		Bartholomew Ulufa'alu (1950–2007)	27 August 1997	30 June 2000
6		Manasseh Sogavare (b. 1955)	30 June 2000	17 December 2001
7		Allan Kemakeza (b. 1950)	17 December 2001	20 April 2006
8		Snyder Rini (b. 1949)	20 April 2006	4 May 2006
(6)		Manasseh Sogavare (b. 1955)	4 May 2006	20 December 2007
9		Derek Sikua (b. 1959)	20 December 2007	25 August 2010
10		Danny Philip (b. 1953)	25 August 2010	16 November 2011
11		Gordon Darcy Lilo (b. 1965)	16 November 2011	9 December 2014
(6)		Manasseh Sogavare (b. 1955)	9 December 2014	15 November 2017
12		Rick Houenipwela (b. 1958)	15 November 2017	24 April 2019
(6)		Manasseh Sogavare (b. 1955)	24 April 2019	Incumbent

Reference

South Africa

Daniel François Malan was the incumbent prime minister of the Union of South Africa when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Daniel François Malan (1874–1959)	4 June 1948	30 November 1954
2		Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom (1893–1958)	30 November 1954	24 August 1958
3		Hendrik Verwoerd (1901–1966)	24 August 1958	6 September 1966

Reference

Following a referendum, South Africa abolished the monarchy on 31 May 1961, becoming the Republic of South Africa. Verwoerd remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 6 September 1966. The office of the prime minister was later abolished on 14 September 1984.

Tanganyika

Tanganyika became independent on 9 December 1961, with Julius Nyerere as its first prime minister. Nyerere had previously been the prime minister of self-governing Tanganyika.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Julius Nyerere (1922–1999)	9 December 1961	22 January 1962
2		Rashidi Kawawa (1926–2009)	22 January 1962	9 December 1962

Reference

Tanganyika abolished the monarchy on 9 December 1962. The post of prime minister was also abolished.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago became independent on 31 August 1962, with Eric Williams as its first prime minister. Williams had previously been Chief Minister and Premier of Trinidad and Tobago.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Eric Williams (1911–1981)	31 August 1962	29 March 1981

Reference

Trinidad and Tobago abolished the monarchy on 1 August 1976. Williams remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 29 March 1981.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu became independent on 1 October 1978 with Toaripi Lauti as the first prime minister. Lauti had previously been Chief Minister of Tuvalu.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Toaripi Lauti (1928–2014)	1 October 1978	8 September 1981
2		Tomasi Puapua (b. 1938)	8 September 1981	16 October 1989
3		Bikenibeu Paeniu (b. 1956)	16 October 1989	10 December 1993
4		Kamuta Latasi (b. 1936)	10 December 1993	24 December 1996
(3)		Bikenibeu Paeniu (b. 1956)	24 December 1996	27 April 1999
5		Ionatana Ionatana (1938–2000)	27 April 1999	8 December 2000
N/A		Lagitupu Tuilimu Acting Prime Minister	8 December 2000	24 February 2001
6		Faimalaga Luka (1940–2005)	24 February 2001	14 December 2001
7		Koloa Talake (1934–2008)	14 December 2001	24 August 2002
8		Saufatu Sopoanga (1952–2020)	24 August 2002	25 August 2004
9		Maatia Toafa (b. 1954)	11 October 2004	14 August 2006
10		Apisai Ielemia (1955–2018)	14 August 2006	29 September 2010
(9)		Maatia Toafa (b. 1954)	29 September 2010	24 December 2010
11		Willy Telavi (b. 1954)	24 December 2010	1 August 2013
12		Enele Sopoaga (b. 1956)	5 August 2013	19 September 2019
13		Kausea Natano (b. 1957)	19 September 2019	Incumbent

Reference

Uganda

Uganda became independent on 9 October 1962 with Milton Obote as the first prime minister. Obote had previously been the prime minister of self-governing Uganda.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Milton Obote (1925–2005)	9 October 1962	15 April 1966

Reference

Uganda abolished the monarchy on 9 October 1963. Obote remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 15 April 1966.

United Kingdom

Winston Churchill was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure
			Took office	Left office
1		Winston Churchill (1874–1965)	26 October 1951	5 April 1955
2		Anthony Eden (1897–1977)	6 April 1955	9 January 1957
3		Harold Macmillan (1894–1986)	10 January 1957	18 October 1963
4		Alec Douglas-Home (1903–1995)	19 October 1963	16 October 1964
5		Harold Wilson (1916–1995)	16 October 1964	19 June 1970
6		Edward Heath (1916–2005)	19 June 1970	4 March 1974
(5)		Harold Wilson (1916–1995)	4 March 1974	5 April 1976
7		James Callaghan (1912–2005)	5 April 1976	4 May 1979
8		Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013)	4 May 1979	28 November 1990
9		John Major (b. 1943)	28 November 1990	2 May 1997
10		Tony Blair (b. 1953)	2 May 1997	27 June 2007
11		Gordon Brown (b. 1951)	27 June 2007	11 May 2010
12		David Cameron (b. 1966)	11 May 2010	13 July 2016
13		Theresa May (b. 1956)	13 July 2016	24 July 2019
14		Boris Johnson (b. 1964)	24 July 2019	6 September 2022
15		Liz Truss (b. 1975)	6 September 2022	25 October 2022

Reference

Anomalous cases

Grenada (1979–1984)

Maurice Bishop held de facto government control for most of the People's Revolutionary Government period (from 13 March 1979 until 14 October 1983). On 14 October 1983 Bishop was deposed by Bernard Coard and Bishop was killed on 19 October. Coard held power only briefly before military government was declared. After the invasion Grenada's pre-revolutionary system of government, and the office of Prime Minister, was restored on 4 December 1984. The website of the Grenadian government lists Bishop as a former prime minister, but not Coard nor any other individual who held de facto or de jure power in this period.

Rhodesia (1965–1970)

Ian Smith was Prime Minister of Rhodesia following a unilateral declaration of independence on 11 November 1965. Though Rhodesia considered Elizabeth II as Queen of Rhodesia, this title was not accepted by her. Acting in his vice-regal capacity under direction from the UK government, Governor of Southern Rhodesia Humphrey Gibbs dismissed the prime minister and his government but this action was ignored by Smith. The state remained unrecognised by Britain and the international community. Following a referendum, Rhodesia declared itself a republic on 2 March 1970. Smith remained in office throughout this period.

See also

• Constitutional monarchy
• List of Commonwealth heads of government