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{{Politics of Barbados}}
The '''Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral of [[Barbados]]''' was the representative of Queen [[Elizabeth II]] in her capacity as [[Monarchy of Barbados|Barbadian monarch]] from independence in 1966 until the establishment of a republic in 2021. Under the government's [[Table of precedence for Barbados|Table of Precedence for Barbados]], the governor-general of Barbados was regarded as being the most important of all personnel of the [[Government of Barbados|Barbados government]].<ref>[http://www.foreign.gov.bb/UserFiles/File/Precedence.pdf Table of Precedence for Barbados - July, 2008]</ref>▼
 
▲The '''Governor-General of [[Barbados]]''' was the representative of Queen [[Elizabeth II]] in her capacity as [[Monarchy of Barbados|Barbadian monarch]] from independence in 1966 until the establishment of a republic in 2021. Under the government's [[Table of precedence for Barbados|Table of Precedence for Barbados]], the governor-general of Barbados was regarded as being the most important of all personnel of the [[Government of Barbados|Barbados government]].<ref>[http://www.foreign.gov.bb/UserFiles/File/Precedence.pdf Table of Precedence for Barbados - July, 2008]</ref>
 
The office was accorded legitimacy by Chapter IV of the [[Constitution of Barbados]].<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter IV</ref> The Governor-General is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Barbados]].<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter IV, Section 28(1)</ref><ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter IV, Section 32</ref> The governor-general exercises <!---exercised---> [[Executive (government)|executive power]]s and who [[Royal Assent|assent]]s to [[Bill (proposed law)|bills]] in the monarch's name before they can become [[promulgation|promulgated]] into law.<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter V, Section 58(1)</ref> The Barbados constitution limited the powers of the governor-general (known as a [[constitutional monarchy]] system of governance).<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter IV, Section 32</ref> This effectively limited the powers of the Queen, as it did the governor-general, who, in most instances, exercised authority on the advice of the prime minister or other persons or bodies within Barbados, much like the [[president of Barbados]] at present.<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter IV, Section 32</ref>
 
The office of the Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral was established when Barbados [[Barbados Independence Act 1966|gained independence]] in 1966. Since the colonisationcolonization of Barbados by the [[British people|British]], Barbados has had 68 [[List of Governors of Barbados|Governorsgovernors]] and subsequently 8 [[Governor-General#Modern Commonwealth|Governorsgovernors-Generalgeneral]]. On 30 November 2021, [[Republicanism in Barbados|Barbados became a republic]] and the office of Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral was abolished.
 
==Duties==
The Queenqueen, on the advice of the prime minister, appointed a Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral to be her viceregal representative in Barbados.<ref>{{cite web | title = Queen's role in Barbados | work = The Monarchy Today: Queen and State| publisher = [[Monarchy of Barbados|The Barbadian Monarchy]] | url = http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/TheQueensroleinBarbados.aspx | access-date = 2 June 2010 }}</ref><ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter VI, Part 1; Section 28</ref> Both the queen and the governor-general held much power in the country, though it was rarely used unilaterally; it was usually only used in such a way in emergencies and in some cases war.<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter III, Part 15; Section 25(1)(a)</ref>▼
 
The Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral represented the Queenqueen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of parliament and the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the constitution, the Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral was given authority to act in some matters; for example, in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service,<ref>[https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/11/21/the-role-of-gg-is-not-just-ceremonial-says-arthur/ The role of GG is not just ceremonial, says Arthur]</ref> granting "any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Barbados a pardon",<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter VI, Part 2; Section 78(1)(a)</ref> and in proroguing parliament. But, in only a few cases was the Governor-General empowered to act entirely on his/her own discretion, often requiring the [[countersignature]] of the prime minister to exercise their powers.▼
▲The Queen, on the advice of the prime minister, appointed a Governor-General to be her viceregal representative in Barbados.<ref>{{cite web | title = Queen's role in Barbados | work = The Monarchy Today: Queen and State| publisher = [[Monarchy of Barbados|The Barbadian Monarchy]] | url = http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/TheQueensroleinBarbados.aspx | access-date = 2 June 2010 }}</ref><ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter VI, Part 1; Section 28</ref> Both the queen and the governor-general held much power in the country, though it was rarely used unilaterally; it was usually only used in such a way in emergencies and in some cases war.<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter III, Part 15; Section 25(1)(a)</ref>
 
The Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral of Barbados also chaired the [[Privy Council of Barbados]].▼
▲The Governor-General represented the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of parliament and the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the constitution, the Governor-General was given authority to act in some matters; for example, in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service,<ref>[https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/11/21/the-role-of-gg-is-not-just-ceremonial-says-arthur/ The role of GG is not just ceremonial, says Arthur]</ref> granting "any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Barbados a pardon",<ref>[[#refConstitution|Constitution]], Chapter VI, Part 2; Section 78(1)(a)</ref> and in proroguing parliament. But, in only a few cases was the Governor-General empowered to act entirely on his/her own discretion, often requiring the [[countersignature]] of the prime minister to exercise their powers.
 
▲The Governor-General of Barbados also chaired the [[Privy Council of Barbados]].
 
==List of Governors-General of Barbados==
 
On 30 November 1966, Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom.
 
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== Official oath of office ==
 
According to the First Schedule section of the [[Constitution of Barbados]], the official [[Oath of office]] for the Governor-General of Barbados is as follows:
{{cquote|I, _________________________, do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], Her [[List of British monarchs|Heirs]] and [[Line of succession to the British throne|Successors]], in the office of Governor-General. So help me God.}}
 
==Future==
 
{{main|Republicanism in Barbados|President of Barbados}}
The [[monarchy of Barbados]] and the governor-general's position was abolished and the Queen of Barbados was replaced with a ceremonial [[President of Barbados|president]], akin to that of the [[president of Trinidad and Tobago]].<ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 2020 |title=Wickham predicts Barbados' republic model to mirror Trinidad's |url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/09/17/wickham-predicts-barbados-republic-model-to-mirror-trinidads/ |editor1-last=Madden |editor1-first=Marlon |department=Top Featured Article |publisher=Barbados Today |publication-date=17 September 2020 |access-date=4 June 2021 |quote=As Barbados prepares to ditch the Queen as its Head of State and become a republic, a prominent political scientist is predicting that Prime Minister Mia Mottley will follow the Trinidad and Tobago model. What's more, Peter Wickham has shot down any idea of the Barbados Labour Party administration holding a referendum on the matter, saying that to do so would be a "mistake". "There is no need to and I don't think it makes a lot of sense. We had a situation where since 1999 this [political party] indicated its desire to go in the direction of a republic. The Opposition has always supported it.... So, I think there is enough cohesion in that regard to go with it," he said.}}</ref> Incumbent Governorgovernor-Generalgeneral, Dame [[Sandra Mason]] was elected Presidentpresident on 20 October 2021 and was inaugurated as Presidentpresident on 30 November 2021.
 
==See also==
*[[Government House, Barbados|Government House]], the official residence of the Governor-General, now the official residence of the [[President of Barbados]]▼
 
▲*[[Government House, Barbados|Government House]], the official residence of the Governor-General, now the official residence of the [[President of Barbados]]
*[[Order of Barbados]]
*[[List of governors of Barbados]]
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== External links ==
 
* [https://www.royal.uk/barbados About Queen Elizabeth II and her role in Barbados] - ''Royal.uk''
** [https://www.gov.bb/Visit-Barbados/governor-general Governor General of Barbados], Our Nation, Government of Barbados
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