Governor-General of Fiji explained

Post:Governor-General
Body:Fiji
Flag:Flag of the Governor-General of Fiji (1970-1987).svg
Flagsize:150px
Flagcaption:Flag of the governor-general
Insignia:Coat of arms of Fiji.svg
Insigniasize:100px
Insigniacaption:Coat of arms of Fiji
Status:Abolished
Style:His Excellency
Residence:Government House, Suva
Appointer:Monarch of Fiji
Formation:10 October 1970
First:Sir Robert Sidney Foster
Last:Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Abolished:6 October 1987
Succession:President of Fiji

The governor-general of Fiji was the representative of the Fijian monarch in the Dominion of Fiji from the country's independence in 1970 until the monarchy's deposition in 1987.

History

Fiji became a sovereign state and adopted an independent monarch in the Commonwealth of Nations on 10 October 1970, with Queen Elizabeth II as Fiji's monarch. She held the title of Queen of Fiji until 1987, when the monarchy was deposed following two military coups, led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka.

The monarch's functions were exercised in Fiji by her representative, the governor-general of Fiji.

In 1987, following the monarchy's overthrow, the position of governor-general was abolished. The Fijian monarch was replaced with a president as head of state. With Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the last governor-general of Fiji, appointed as the first president of Fiji on 8 December 1987 after resigning from the position of the governor-general of Fiji on 15 October 1987.

List of governors-general of Fiji

Following is a list of people who have served as governor-general of Fiji.

PortraitName
Term of officeMonarch
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1Sir Robert Sidney Foster
10 October 197013 January 1973
Elizabeth II
2Ratu Sir George Cakobau
13 January 197312 February 1983
3Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
12 February 19836 October 1987

See also