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Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis facts for kids

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This page is about the monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis. For information on the other countries which share the same person as monarch, see Commonwealth realm.
Quick facts for kids
King of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Federal
Coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis (variant).svg
Coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Incumbent
Prince Charles Ireland-4.jpg
Charles III
since 8 September 2022
Details
Style His Majesty
Heir apparent William, Duke of Cambridge
First monarch Elizabeth II
Formation 19 September 1983


The monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The current monarch of Saint Kitts and Nevis, since 8 September 2022, is Charles III. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Crown of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Although the person of the sovereign is equally shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled King of Saint Christopher and Nevis and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions domestically and abroad as representatives of Saint Kitts and Nevis. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.

All executive authority is vested in the monarch, and royal assent is required for the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis to enact laws and for letters patent and Orders in Council to have legal effect. Most of the powers are exercised by the elected members of parliament, the ministers of the Crown generally drawn from amongst them, and the judges and justices of the peace. Other powers vested in the monarch, such as the appointment of a prime minister, are significant but are treated only as reserve powers and as an important security part of the role of the monarchy.

The Crown today primarily functions as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance and a nonpartisan safeguard against the abuse of power. While some powers are exercisable only by the sovereign, most of the monarch's operational and ceremonial duties are exercised by his representative, the governor-general of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Images for kids

  • Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla stamp

    1956 postage stamp

  • Government House, Basseterre

    Springfield House, Basseterre, the official residence of the governor-general

  • Ambassador Larry L. Palmer with Sir Edmund Lawrence

    Governor-General Sir Edmund Lawrence with US Ambassador Larry Leon Palmer, 2013

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis Government building 2

    National Assembly building, Basseterre

  • Basseterre courthouse

    Sir Lee L. Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex, Basseterre

  • Government House (49852673301)

    Government House, Charlestown, Nevis

  • The Museum of Nevis History - Alexander Hamilton birthplace

    The seat of the Nevis Island Assembly

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis stamp type B2

    Saint Kitts and Nevis meter stamp displaying St Edward's Crown

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Monarquía de San Cristóbal y Nieves para niños

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