The position of governor-general was established when Antigua and Barbuda gained independence on 1 November 1981.
Constitutional powers, functions and duties
The office of governor-general is provided for by Chapter III, Sections 22 to 26 of the Constitution. These state:
:22.- There shall be a Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda who shall be a citizen appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty's pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty's representative in Antigua and Barbuda.
Acting Governor-General
23.-
1. During any period when the office of Governor-General is vacant or the holder of the office of Governor-General is absent from Antigua and Barbuda or is for any other reason unable to perform the functions of his office those functions shall be performed by such person as Her Majesty may appoint.
2. Any such person as aforesaid shall not continue to perform the functions of the office of Governor-General if the holder of the office of Governor-General has notified him that he is about to assume or resume those functions.
3. The holder of the office of Governor-General shall not for the purposes of this section, be regarded as absent from Antigua and Barbuda or as unable to perform the functions of his office-
a. by reason that he is in passage from one part of Antigua and Barbuda to another; or
b. at any time when there is a subsisting appointment of a deputy under section 25 of this Constitution.
Oaths
24.- A person appointed to hold or act in the office of Governor-General shall, before entering upon the duties of that office, take and subscribe the oath of allegiance and the oath of office.
25.-
1. When the Governor-General-
a. has occasion to be absent from the seat of government but not from Antigua and Barbuda;
b. has occasion to be absent from Antigua and Barbuda for a period that he considers, in his discretion, will be of short duration,
- he may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint any person in Antigua and Barbuda to be his deputy during such absence or illness and in that capacity to perform on his behalf such of the functions of the office of Governor-General as may be specified in the instrument by which he is appointed.
2. The power and authority of the Governor-General shall not be abridged, altered or in any way affected by the appointment of a deputy under this section, and subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a deputy shall conform to and observe all instructions that the Governor-General, in his discretion, may from time to time address to him:
Provided that the question whether or not a deputy has conformed to and observed any such instructions shall not be enquired into by any court of law.
3. A person appointed as deputy under this section shall hold that appointment for such period as may be specified in the instrument by which he is appointed, and his appointment may be revoked at any time by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Public Seal
26.- The Governor-General shall keep and use the Public Seal for sealing all things that shall pass under the Public Seal.
List of governors-general of Antigua and Barbuda
Following is a list of people who have served as governor-general of Antigua and Barbuda since independence in 1981.
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