Governor-General

E96341

The Governor-General is the monarch’s appointed representative in a Commonwealth realm, performing constitutional and ceremonial duties as the de facto head of state at the national level.

All labels observed (22)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf constitutional office
head of state role
public office
vice-regal representative
actsOnAdviceOf cabinet
prime minister
appointedBy monarch
ceremonialRole to confer honours and awards
to preside over state ceremonies
to receive foreign dignitaries
constitutionalRole de facto head of state
evolvedFrom colonial governor
exercisesPowerOnBehalfOf monarch
hasPower to appoint prime minister
to dismiss prime minister in exceptional circumstances
to dissolve parliament
to give royal assent to legislation
to prorogue parliament
to sign bills into law
to summon parliament
historicalOrigin British colonial administration
isUsually above party politics
non-partisan
jurisdiction national level
legalAuthority letters patent
national constitution
mayExercise prerogative powers
reserve powers
officeExistsIn Australia
Barbados
surface form: Barbados (historically)

Canada
Jamaica
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
other Commonwealth realms
participatesIn appointment of judges
appointment of ministers
appointment of other key officials
performsFunction ceremonial duties
constitutional duties
represents monarch
residesIn official vice-regal residence
roleOf monarch’s representative
servesIn Commonwealth realms
surface form: Commonwealth realm
symbolizes continuity of the state
unity of the nation
termDefinedBy national constitution

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (71)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Hardinge family notableOfficeHeldByMembers Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Sir Henry Hardinge positionHeld Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
His Excellency appliesTo Governor-General
this entity surface form: governors-general
Clemency Canning positionHeld Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin positionHeld Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Mountbatten family hasMemberWithTitle Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Maharaja of Jhansi subordinateTo Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Flag of the Governor-General of Solomon Islands usedWhen Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General is present at official ceremonies
Sir John Lapli hasTitle Governor-General
Standard of the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda usedWhen Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General is in attendance at official events
Sir John Shore positionHeld Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Lord Moira (Marquess of Hastings) officeHeld Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Treaty of 1799 underAuthorityOf Governor-General
this entity surface form: Governor-General of India
Sir Wilfred Ebenezer Jacobs hasTitle Governor-General
Standard of the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea usedWhen Governor-General
this entity surface form: governor-general is present at official functions
British Resident reportsTo Governor-General
Sir Frederick Ballantyne title Governor-General
Minita_Gordon hasRole Governor-General
Colonial Secretary subordinateTo Governor-General
Colonial Secretary typicalAppointer Governor-General