GovernorGeneral

A governor-general is the representative of the monarch in certain Commonwealth realms, acting as the Crown’s head of state in those countries. The office is largely constitutional and ceremonial, with the governor-general performing duties that sustain the country's constitutional framework and public life.

Appointments and term are typically made by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister or equivalent government authority. Terms are usually fixed for several years, and extensions or renewals may be possible depending on the country’s conventions. The governor-general generally exercises powers and duties on the formal side of government, following the advice of the prime minister and cabinet in routine matters.

Key functions include granting royal assent to legislation, summoning and proroguing or dissolving parliament, and officially appointing the prime minister and other ministers after elections. The governor-general also represents the country at home and abroad, presides over ceremonies, and participates in the awarding of national honours. In many cases, the office serves as a nonpartisan figure who helps symbolize national unity and continuity.

The role varies by country. In Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the governor-general acts as the monarch’s representative while remaining separate from day-to-day partisan politics. In some former colonies, the office existed during colonial times, while others have evolved toward republican systems in which the monarch’s representative role has been replaced or abolished. Provinces or states within these countries may have their own local representatives, such as lieutenant governors, who perform analogous roles at subnational levels.