List of heads of state of Trinidad and Tobago explained

From 1962 to 1976, the head of state under the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962 was the Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, Elizabeth II, who was also the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The Queen was viceregally represented in Trinidad and Tobago by a governor-general. Trinidad and Tobago became a republic under the Constitution of 1976 and the monarch and governor-general were replaced by a ceremonial president.

Monarch (1962–1976)

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Governor-general

The governor-general was the representative of the monarch in Trinidad and Tobago and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The governor-general was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch. After the passage of the Statute of Westminster 1931, the governor-general was appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago, without the involvement of the British government. In the event of a vacancy, the chief justice served as officer administering the government under a dormant commission.

PortraitGovernor-General
Term of officePrime ministerMonarch
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1Sir Solomon Hochoy
1962 1972WilliamsElizabeth II
2Sir Ellis Clarke
1972 1976

President of Trinidad and Tobago

Under the 1976 Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the president replaced the monarch as head of state. The president was elected by Parliament for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the President of the Senate served as acting president.

Status
PortraitPresident
ElectedTerm of officePrime minister(s)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1Sir Ellis Clarke
1976
1982
1976 1976Williams
Chambers
Robinson
1976 1987
2Noor Hassanali
1987
1992
1987 1997Robinson
Manning
Panday
3A. N. R. Robinson
1997 1997 2003Panday
Manning
4George Maxwell Richards
2003
2008
2003 2013Manning
Persad-Bissessar
5Anthony Carmona
2013 2013 2018Persad-Bissessar
Rowley
6Paula-Mae Weekes
2018 2018 2023Keith RowleyRowley
7Christine Kangaloo
202320 March 2023[1] IncumbentKeith RowleyRowley

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Kangaloo inauguration set for March 20th . 19 March 2023 . www.guardian.co.tt . en.