This is a list of the heads of state of Tuvalu, from the independence of Tuvalu in 1978 to the present day.
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 his 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.
The monarch of the United Kingdom has been the Sovereign 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 | Portrait | Reign | Royal House | Prime Minister | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reign start | Reign end | |||||
| 1 | 1978 | 2022 | Windsor | Lauti, Puapua, Paeniu, Latasi, Paeniu, Ionatana, Tuilimu, Luka, Talake, Sopoanga, Toafa, Ielemia, Toafa, Telavi, Sopoaga, Natano | ||
| 2 | 2022 | Windsor | Natano, Teo | |||
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]
| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Monarch (Reign) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo | 1 October 1978 | 1 March 1986 | Elizabeth II (1978–2022) | |||
| 2 | Sir Tupua Leupena | 1 March 1986 | 1 October 1990 | ||||
| 3 | Sir Toaripi Lauti | 1 October 1990 | 1 December 1993 | ||||
| 4 | Sir Tomu Sione | 1 December 1993 | 21 June 1994 | ||||
| 5 | Sir Tulaga Manuella | 21 June 1994 | 26 June 1998 | ||||
| 6 | Sir Tomasi Puapua | 26 June 1998 | 9 September 2003 | ||||
| 7 | Faimalaga Luka | 9 September 2003 | 15 April 2005 | ||||
| 8 | Sir Filoimea Telito | 15 April 2005 | 19 March 2010 | ||||
| – | Sir Kamuta Latasi | 19 March 2010 | 16 April 2010 | ||||
| 9 | Sir Iakoba Italeli | 16 April 2010 | 22 August 2019 | ||||
| – | Teniku Talesi Honolulu | 22 August 2019 | January 2021 | – | |||
| – | Samuelu Teo | January 2021 | 28 September 2021 | – | |||
| 10 | Tofiga Vaevalu Falani | 29 September 2021 | Incumbent | Charles III (2022–present) | |||