The governor-general of Belize is the representative of the Belizean monarch, currently King

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, in

Belize Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a maritime boundary with Honduras to the southeast. P ...

. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Belize. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving

royal assent Royal assent is the method by which a monarch formally approves an act of the legislature, either directly or through an official acting on the monarch's behalf. In some jurisdictions, royal assent is equivalent to promulgation, while in othe ...

legislation Legislation is the process or result of enrolling, enacting, or promulgating laws by a legislature, parliament, or analogous governing body. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred ...

passed by the

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repr ...

; and issuing writs for election. In general, the governor-general observes the conventions of the

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and

responsible government Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability, the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. Governments (the equivalent of the executive br ...

, maintaining a political neutrality, and has to act only on the advice of the prime minister. The governor-general also has a ceremonial role: hosting events at the official residenceBelize House in the capital,

Belmopan Belmopan () is the capital city of Belize. Its population in 2010 was 16,451. Belmopan is the smallest capital city in the continental Americas (by population) and the third-largest settlement in Belize, behind Belize City and San Ignacio. Fou ...

and bestowing honours to individuals and groups who are contributing to their communities. When travelling abroad, the governor-general is seen as the representative of Belize and its monarch. Governors-general are appointed for a seven-year term of office. Since 27 May 2021, the governor-general has been Dame Froyla Tzalam. The office of the governor-general was created on 21 September 1981, when Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, three individuals have served as governor-general.

Appointment

The governor-general is formally appointed by the monarch of Belize. When a new governor-general is to be appointed, the current prime minister recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts that recommendation. At the installation ceremony, the new governor-general takes an Oath of Allegiance and Office.Part IV: The Governor-General
/ref> These oaths are administered by the chief justice of Belize.

Functions

The governor-general's powers and roles are derive from the Constitution of Belize's Part IV, sections 30 to 35 and set out certain provisions relating to the governor-general.

Constitutional role

The governor-general is responsible for dissolving parliament and issues writs for new elections. After an election, the governor-general formally requests the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in parliament to form a government. The governor-general commissions the prime minister and appoints other ministers after the election. The prime minister keeps the governor-general fully informed concerning the general conduct of the government of Belize and furnishes the governor-general with such information as the governor-general may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the government of Belize. The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives

to laws passed by the National Assembly of Belize. The governor-general acts on the advice of government ministers, to issue regulations, proclamations under existing laws, to appoint state judges, ambassadors and high commissioners to overseas countries, and other senior government officials. The governor-general is also responsible for issuing Royal Commissions of Inquiry, and other matters, as required by particular legislation; and authorises many other executive decisions by ministers such as approving treaties with foreign governments. The governor-general may, in certain circumstances, exercise without – or contrary to – ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers, and include: *appointing a prime minister if an election has resulted in a 'hung parliament'. *dismissing the prime minister after the prime minister lost the confidence of the parliament. *dismissing any minister acting unlawfully. *refusing to dissolve the House of Representatives despite a request from the prime minister.

Ceremonial role

The governor-general's ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of parliament by delivering the

Speech from the Throne A speech from the throne, or throne speech, is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign, or their representative, reads a prepared speech to members of the nation's legislature when a Legislative session, session is opened. ...

, welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats. The governor-general attends military parades and special occasions, and presents Colours and other insignia to units of the Belize Defence Force and the Police Force. The governor-general also presents honours at investitures to persons for notable service to the community, or for acts of bravery.

Privileges

Salary

The ''Governor-General (Conditions of Service) Act 1989'' defines the salary, pension and other entitlements of the governor-general. The act was amended in 2021 to provide for a fixed seven-year term of office and raise the governor-general's salary to BZ$75,000. This was the first increase in salary since 1989.

Symbols

The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a lion passant atop a St. Edward's royal crown with "Belize" written across a scroll underneath, all on a blue background. It is flown on buildings and other locations in Belize to mark the governor-general's presence. A viceregal salute —composed of the first verse of "

God Save the King "God Save the King" ("God Save the Queen" when the monarch is female) is ''de facto'' the national anthem of the United Kingdom. It is one of national anthems of New Zealand, two national anthems of New Zealand and the royal anthem of the Isle ...

" followed by the chorus of the Belizean National Anthem, " Land of the Free"— is used to greet the governor-general upon arrival at, and mark his or her departure from most official events.

Residences

The governor general resided at Government House, Belize until 1984, even after the capital had moved to

in 1970. In 1984, the governor general moved to Belize House in Belmopan, formerly the residence of the British High Commission on North Ring Road and Melhado Parade.

List of governors-general

Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Belize since independence in 1981.

References

External links

* Belize Constitution {{DEFAULTSORT:Governor-General Of Belize Belize, List of Governors-General of Politics of Belize Government of Belize Governors-General 1981 establishments in Belize