Governor General History

Belize, as a former British colony and a member of the Commonwealth realms (15 countries which share the same monarch) has appointed a Governor-General as its representative of the monarch His Majesty, King Charles III, since gaining independence on September 21, 1981. As the local representative of the sovereign, she performs the same duties as British sovereigns have carried out historically, though their role is for the most part ceremonial (or partly ceremonial). The Governor-General is appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister for a 7-year tenure. This time limit was introduced in 2021 after a revision of the Governor-General Act. The Governor-General is accorded the style of Her Excellency, a title she bears during office and for life.  This style is also extended to her spouse.  

Except in rare cases (for example, a constitutional crisis), the Governor-General usually acts in accordance with constitutional convention and upon the advice of the Prime Minister (who is the head of the nation’s government). Rare and controversial exceptions occurred in 1926 when Canadian Governor General the Viscount Byng of Vimy refused Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s request for a dissolution of parliament; in 1953 and 1954 when the Governor-General of Pakistan, Ghulam Mohammad, staged a constitutional coup against the prime minister and then the Constituent Assembly; and in 1975, when the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, dismissed the prime minister, Gough Whitlam (to name a few). It should be remembered that while Governors-General do not normally take drastic action, they still have a responsibility to ensure that the constitution is respected and followed at all times. In many ways, the Governor-General acts as an umpire/mediator (who must remain independent/non-partisan and objective) in the political scene.  

The Governor-General’s official residence is Belize House in Belmopan. The first Governor-General of Belize Dr. Dame Minita Gordon resided at the Government House in Belize City until 1984. The official residence and office were changed to Belmopan, and subsequent Governors Generals have lived at this residence.