List of heads of state of Tuvalu

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This is a list of the heads of state of Tuvalu, from the independence of Tuvalu in 1978 to the present day.

Contents

The Monarchy of Tuvalu exists in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy. As a constitutional monarch, the King of Tuvalu, Charles III, acts entirely on the advice of her government ministers in Tuvalu. [1] The Head of State is recognised in section 50 of the Constitution of Tuvalu, as a symbol of the unity and identity of Tuvalu. The powers of the head of state are set out in section 52 (1) of the Constitution. [2]

Part IV of the Constitution confirms the head of state of Tuvalu is King Charles III as the sovereign of Tuvalu and provides for the rules for succession to the Crown. As set out in section 54 of the Constitution, the Queen’s representative in Tuvalu by a Governor-General. Section 58 of the Constitution requires the governor-general to perform the functions of the head of state when the sovereign is outside Tuvalu or otherwise incapacitated. The Governor-General of Tuvalu is appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

The position is largely ceremonial. However the holder has constitutional responsibilities and reserve powers in relation to the ordering parliament to convene and the appointment and dismissal of the prime minister. [2] In 2003 the Chief Justice of the High Court of Tuvalu delivered directions as to how the Governor-General should proceed to take any action he considers to be appropriate under Section 116(1) of the Constitution, acting in his own deliberate judgment, rather than as advised by the cabinet. [3] That is, the Governor-General could consider whether it was appropriate to exercise his reserve powers in calling parliament.

Monarch (1978–present)

The monarch of the United Kingdom has been the Queen of Tuvalu since Tuvaluan independence in 1978. The line of succession to the Tuvaluan throne is the same as that of the thrones of other Commonwealth realms.

Monarch
(Birth–Death)
PortraitReignRoyal House Prime Minister
Reign startReign end
1
Queen Elizabeth II
(1926–2022)
Queen Elizabeth II in March 2015.jpg 1 October 19788 September 2022 Windsor Lauti
Puapua
Paeniu
Latasi
Paeniu
Ionatana
Tuilimu (Interim)
Luka
Talake
Sopoanga
Toafa
Ielemia
Toafa
Telavi
Sopoaga
Natano
2
King Charles III
(1948–)
Charles Prince of Wales.jpg 8 September 2022Incumbent Windsor Natano

Governor-General

The Governor-General is the representative of the Monarch in Tuvalu and exercises most of the powers of the Monarch. The Governor-General is appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the Monarch. The Governor-General is appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Tuvalu without the involvement of the British government. In the event of a vacancy the Speaker serves as Officer Administering the Government.

Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Tuvalu since independence in 1978. [4]

  Denotes Acting Governors-General
No.PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officeMonarch
(Reign)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo
(1911–1998)
1 October
1978
1 March
1986
7 years, 151 days Her Majesty The Queen (1959).jpg
Elizabeth II
Coat of arms of Tuvalu.svg
(1978–2022)
2 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tupua Leupena
(1922–1996)
1 March
1986
1 October
1990
4 years, 214 days
3 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Toaripi Lauti
(1928–2014)
1 October
1990
1 December
1993
3 years, 61 days
4 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tomu Sione
(1941–2016)
1 December
1993
21 June
1994
202 days
5 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tulaga Manuella
(b. 1936)
21 June
1994
26 June
1998
4 years, 5 days
6 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tomasi Puapua
(b. 1938)
26 June
1998
9 September
2003
15 years, 75 days
7 Faimalaga Luka 2003.jpg Faimalaga Luka
(1940–2005)
9 September
2003
15 April
2005
1 year, 218 days
8 Filoimea Telito 2006.jpg Sir Filoimea Telito
(1945–2011)
15 April
2005
19 March
2010
4 years, 338 days
Rt Hon Sir Kamuta Latasi (cropped).jpg Sir Kamuta Latasi
(b. 1936)
Acting Governor-General
19 March
2010
16 April
2010
28 days
9 Iakoba Italeli May 2015.jpg Sir Iakoba Italeli
(b. ?)
16 April
2010
22 August
2019
9 years, 128 days
Teniku Talesi.jpg Teniku Talesi Honolulu
(b. ?)
Acting Governor-General
22 August
2019
January
2021[ citation needed ]
Insigne Tuvalum.svg Samuelu Teo
(b. ?)
Acting Governor-General
January
2021[ citation needed ]
28 September
2021
10 Tofiga Vaevalu Falani 2021.jpg Tofiga Vaevalu Falani
(b. ?)
29 September
2021[ citation needed ]
Incumbent1 year, 226 days Charles Prince of Wales.jpg
Charles III
Coat of arms of Tuvalu.svg
(2022–present)

Standards

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References

  1. "The Queen's Role in Tuvalu". Official website of the British Monarchy. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "The Constitution of Tuvalu". PACLII. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  3. "Amasone v Attorney General [2003] TVHC 4; Case No 24 of 2003 (6 August 2003)". PACLII. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  4. "Tuvalu: Governors-General: 1978-2022". Archontology.org. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2022.