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{{Short description|Vice-regal or colonial office}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2015}}
[[File:Platinum Jubilee- Dame Cindy with Governors-General from Canada and Australia.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Mary Simon]], [[David Hurley]] and [[Dame Cindy Kiro]], the governors-general of [[Governor General of Canada|Canada]], [[Governor-General of Australia|Australia]] and [[Governor-General of New Zealand|New Zealand]] respectively, in 2022]]
'''Governor-general''' (plural '''governors-general'''), or '''governor general'''{{NoteTag|In Canada the title "Governor General" is always used unhyphenated. In Australia and New Zealand, the term is always hyphenated.<ref>See, {{Cite web |title=The Role of the Governor-General |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/about-governor-general/role-governor-general |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia}}</ref><ref>See, {{Cite web |title=The Governor-General |url=https://gg.govt.nz/governor-general |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=gg.govt.nz}}</ref>}} (plural '''governors general'''), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the [[British Empire]] and [[the Commonwealth]]. In the context of the governors-general and former [[British colonies]], governors-general continue to be appointed as [[viceroy]] to represent the monarch of a [[personal union]] in any [[sovereign state]] over which the monarch does not normally reign in person (non-UK [[Commonwealth realm]]).<ref>See, e.g., {{Cite book |last=Markwell |first=Donald |title=Constitutional Conventions and the Headship of State: Australian Experience |publisher=Connor Court |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-925501-15-5 |author-link=Donald Markwell}}</ref> In the British Empire, governors-general were appointed on the advice of the [[government of the United Kingdom]] and were often [[British aristocracy]], but in the mid-twentieth century they began to be appointed on the advice of the independent government of each realm and were citizens of each independent state. 

Governors-general have also previously been appointed in respect of major colonial [[state (polity)|state]]s or other territories held by either a monarchy or republic, such as [[Empire of Japan|Japan]], [[Korea under Japanese rule|Korea]], [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Taiwan]] and [[List of Governors-General of French Indochina|France]] in [[French Indochina|Indochina]].

== Current uses ==
In modern usage, in the context of governors-general and former British colonies, the term ''governor-general'' originated in those British colonies that became self-governing within the [[British Empire]]. Before World War I, the title was used only in federated colonies in which its constituents had had ''governors'' prior to federating, namely [[Canada]], [[Australia]], and the [[Union of South Africa]]. In these cases, the Crown's representative in the federated [[Dominion]] was given the superior title of ''governor-general''. The first exception to this rule was New Zealand, which was granted Dominion status in 1907, but it was not until 28 June 1917 that [[Arthur Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool]], was appointed the first [[Governor-General of New Zealand|governor-general of New Zealand]].

Since the 1950s, the title ''governor-general'' has been given to all representatives of the sovereign in independent non-UK [[Commonwealth realm]]s. In these cases, the former office of colonial governor was altered (sometimes for the same incumbent) to become governor-general upon independence, as the nature of the office became an entirely independent constitutional representative of the monarch rather than a symbol of previous colonial rule. In these countries the governor-general acts as the monarch's representative, performing the ceremonial and constitutional functions of a [[head of state]].

The only other nation which currently uses the governor-general designation is [[Iran]], which has no connection with any monarchy or the Commonwealth. In Iran, the provincial authority is headed by a governor general<ref name="IRNA">{{Cite news |date=21 October 2007 |title=Ambassador: Paris for Further Cultural Cooperation with Iran |work=Islamic Republic News Agency |url=http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-203/0710215516003338.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2007-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023184320/http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-203/0710215516003338.htm |archive-date=23 October 2007}}</ref> ([[Persian Language|Persian]]: استاندار ''ostāndār''), who is appointed by the [[Ministry of Interior (Iran)|minister of the interior]].

==British Empire and the Commonwealth==
===British Empire===
[[Image:btweedsmuir2.jpg|thumb|[[John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir|Lord Tweedsmuir]] was [[Governor General of Canada]] from 1935 to 1940. The uniform shown here was the unique ceremonial dress for a governor general]]

Until the 1920s, governors-general were British subjects, appointed on the advice of the British government, who acted as agents of the British government in each Dominion, as well as being representatives of the monarch. As such they notionally held the prerogative powers of the monarch, and also held the executive power of the country to which they were assigned. The governor-general could be instructed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies|colonial secretary]] on the exercise of some of his functions and duties, such as the use or withholding of [[Royal Assent|royal assent]] from legislation; history shows many examples of governors-general using their prerogative and executive powers. The monarch or imperial government could overrule any governor-general, though this could often be cumbersome, due to the remoteness of the territories from London.

The governor-general was also usually the commander-in-chief of the armed forces in their territory and, because of the governor-general's control of the military, the post was as much a military appointment as a civil one. The governors-general are entitled to wear a unique uniform, which is not generally worn today. If of the rank of major general, equivalent or above, they were entitled to wear that military uniform.

===Commonwealth realms===
Following the [[Imperial Conference]], and subsequent issuing of the [[Balfour Declaration 1926|Balfour Declaration]] in 1926, the role and responsibilities of the governor-general began to shift, reflecting the increased independence of the [[Dominion]]s (which were in 1952 renamed ''realms''; a term which includes the UK itself). As the sovereign came to be regarded as monarch of each territory independently, and, as such, advised only by the ministers of each country in regard to that country's national affairs (as opposed to a single British monarch ruling all the Dominions as a conglomerate and advised only by an imperial parliament), so too did the governor-general become a direct representative of the national monarch only, who no longer answered to the British government. The report resulting from the 1926 Imperial Conference stated: "It is an essential consequence of the equality of status existing among the members of the British Commonwealth of Nations that the Governor General of a Dominion is the representative of the Crown, holding in all essential respects the same position in relation to the administration of public affairs in the Dominion as is held by His Majesty the King in Great Britain, and that he is not the representative or agent of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain or of any Department of that Government."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heard |first=Andrew |date=1990 |title=Canadian Independence |url=https://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/324/Independence.html |access-date=25 August 2010 |website=POL-324}}</ref> These concepts were entrenched in legislation with the enactment of the [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]] in 1931, and governmental relations with the United Kingdom were placed in the hands of a British [[High Commissioner]] in each country.

In other words, the political reality of a self-governing Dominion within the British Empire with a governor-general answerable to the sovereign became clear. British interference in the Dominion was not acceptable and independent country status was clearly displayed. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were clearly not controlled by the United Kingdom. The monarch of these countries ([[Charles III]]) is in law [[King of Canada]], [[King of Australia]], and [[King of New Zealand]] and only acts on the advice of the ministers in each country and is ostensibly in no way influenced by the British government. Today, therefore, in former British colonies that are now independent [[Commonwealth realm]]s, the governor-general is constitutionally the representative of the monarch in their state and may exercise the [[reserve power]]s of the monarch according to their own constitutional authority. The governor-general, however, is still appointed by the monarch and takes an [[oath of allegiance]] to the monarch in right of their own country. Executive authority is also vested in the monarch, though much of it can be exercisable only by the governor-general on behalf of the sovereign of the independent realm. [[Letters of credence]] or [[letters of recall]] are in some realms received or issued in the name of the monarch, but in others (such as [[Canada]] and Australia) are issued in the name of the governor-general alone.

At diplomatic functions where the governor-general is present, the visiting diplomat or head of state toasts "The King" or "The Queen" of the relevant realm, not the governor-general, with any reference to the governor-general being subsidiary in later toasts if featuring at all, and will involve a toast to the governor-general by name, not office. (e.g., "Mrs. Smith", not "Her Excellency, the Governor-General". Sometimes a toast might be made using name and office, e.g., "Governor-General Smith".)

Except in rare cases (for example, a constitutional crisis), the governor-general usually acts in accordance with [[constitutional convention (political custom)|constitutional convention]] and upon the [[advice (constitutional)|advice]] of the national prime minister (who is head of the nation's government).<ref>In particular, see the history of the [[Governor General of Australia]]</ref> The governors-general are still the local representatives of the sovereign and perform the same duties as they carried out historically, though their role is for the most part ceremonial (or partly ceremonial). Rare and controversial exceptions occurred in 1926, when [[Governor General of Canada|Canadian governor general]] [[Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy|the Viscount Byng of Vimy]] refused [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[William Lyon Mackenzie King|Mackenzie King's]] request for a dissolution of parliament; in 1953 and 1954 when the governor-general of Pakistan, [[Malik Ghulam Muhammad|Ghulam Mohammad]], staged a [[1953 Pakistani constitutional coup|constitutional coup]] against the prime minister and then the Constituent Assembly; and in 1975, when the governor-general of Australia, [[John Kerr (Governor-General)|Sir John Kerr]], [[Australian constitutional crisis of 1975|dismissed the prime minister]], [[Gough Whitlam]] (to name a few).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter from the Queen's Private Secretary to the Speaker |url=http://whitlamdismissal.com/documents/letter-from-queen.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112074610/http://whitlamdismissal.com/documents/letter-from-queen.shtml |archive-date=2006-01-12 |access-date=15 February 2006 |website=whitlamdismissal.com}}</ref> It should be remembered that while governors-general do not normally take drastic action, he or she still has a responsibility to ensure that the constitution is respected and followed at all times. In many ways, the governor-general acts as an umpire/mediator (who must remain independent/non-partisan and objective) in the political scene. In some realms, the monarch could in principle overrule a governor-general, as governors-general are representatives of the monarch rather than holding power in their own right, but this has not happened in recent times.

In Australia, the present king is generally assumed to be the head of state, since the governor-general and the state governors are defined as his "representatives".<ref>Constitution, s 2; Australia Act 1986 (Cth and UK), s 7.</ref> However, since the governor-general performs almost all national regal functions, the governor-general has occasionally [[Australian head of state dispute|been referred to as the head of state]] in political and media discussion. To a lesser extent, uncertainty has been expressed [[Monarchy of Canada#Head of state|in Canada]] as to which officeholder—the monarch, the governor-general, or both—can be considered the head of state.

A governor-general is usually a person with a distinguished record of public service, often a retired politician, judge or military commander; however, some countries have also appointed prominent academics, members of the clergy, philanthropists, or figures from the news media to the office.

Traditionally, the governor-general's official attire was a unique uniform, but this practice has been abandoned except on occasions when it is appropriate to be worn (and in some countries abandoned altogether). In South Africa, the [[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa|governor-general of the Union of South Africa]] nominated by the [[Afrikaner]] [[National Party (South Africa)|Nationalist]] government chose not to wear uniform on any occasion. Most governors-general continue to wear appropriate [[medal]]s on their clothing when required.

The governor-general's official residence is usually called ''Government House.'' The [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State|governor-general of the Irish Free State]] resided in the then [[Áras an Uachtaráin|Viceregal Lodge]] in [[Phoenix Park]], [[Dublin]], but the government of [[Éamon de Valera]] sought to downgrade the office and the last governor-general, [[Domhnall Ua Buachalla]], did not reside there. The office was abolished there in 1936.

In most Commonwealth realms, the flag of the governor-general has been the standard pattern of a blue [[Flag terminology|field]] with the [[Royal Crest|royal crest]] (a lion standing on a crown) above a scroll with the name of the jurisdiction. In [[Canada]], however, this was replaced with a crowned lion clasping a maple leaf. In the [[Solomon Islands]], the scroll was replaced with a two-headed [[frigate bird]] motif, while in [[Fiji]], the former governor general's flag featured a [[whale]]'s tooth. In New Zealand, the flag was replaced in 2008 with the shield of the [[coat of arms of New Zealand]] surmounted by a crown on a blue field.

Governors-general are accorded the style of ''His/Her [[Excellency]]''. This style is also extended to their spouses, whether male or female.

====Appointment====
[[Image:tim healy.jpg|left|thumb|[[Timothy Michael Healy|Tim Healy]], first [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State]]]]
Until the 1920s, governors general were British, and appointed on the advice of the British Government.

Following the changes to the structure of the Commonwealth in the late 1920s, in 1929, the Australian prime minister [[James Scullin]] established the right of a [[Dominion]] prime minister to advise the monarch directly on the appointment of a governor-general, by insisting that his choice ([[Isaac Isaacs]], an Australian) prevail over the recommendation of the British government. The convention was gradually established throughout the Commonwealth that the governor-general would be a citizen of the country concerned, and would be appointed on the advice of the government of that country, with no input from the British government; [[governor general of Canada]] since 1952 and [[governor-general of New Zealand]] since 1967. Since 1931 as each former Dominion has [[patriate]]d its constitution from the UK, the convention has become law, or, since 1947, when the first realms established with a patriated constitution, [[Dominion of India|India]] and [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]], were established, was always law, and no government of any realm can advise the Monarch on any matter pertaining to another realm, including the appointment of a governor-general. The monarch appoints a governor-general (in Canada: ''governor general'') as a personal representative only on the advice of the prime minister of each realm; for example, the governor-general of New Zealand is appointed by the king of New Zealand on the advice of the New Zealand prime minister, the governor-general of Tuvalu is appointed by the king of Tuvalu on the advice of the Tuvaluan prime minister, and the governor-general of Jamaica is appointed by the king of Jamaica on the advice of the Jamaican prime minister. In Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the prime minister's advice is based on the result of a vote in the national parliament.
{{Clear}}
{{multiple image
| align             = centre
| total_width       = 700
| title             = Governors-general who were royal princes
| image1            = Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught.jpg
| height1           = 599
| width1            = 700
| caption1          = [[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn|The Duke of Connaught]], son of [[Queen Victoria]], was Governor General of Canada.
| image2            = Prince Arthur of Connaught colour.jpg
| height2           = 599
| width2            = 700
| caption2          = [[Prince Arthur of Connaught]], son of the Duke of Connaught, was Governor-General of South Africa.
| image3            = Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.jpg
| height3           = 4667
| width3            = 5807
| caption3          = [[Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester|The Duke of Gloucester]], son of King [[George V]], was [[Governor General of Australia]].
| image4            = Earlofathlone.jpg
| height4           = 4667
| width4            = 5807
| caption4          = [[Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone|The Earl of Athlone]], brother of [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]], was Governor General of both Canada and South Africa, respectively.
}}

The formalities for appointing governors-general are not the same in all realms. For example: When appointed, a governor-general of Australia issues a proclamation in his own name, countersigned by the head of government and under the Great Seal of Australia, formally announcing that he has been appointed by the monarch's commission, previously issued also under the Great Seal of Australia.<ref>See, {{Citation |title=Proclamatrion, 28 March 2014 |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/gg/Proclamation-Cosgrove.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222112352/http://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/gg/Proclamation-Cosgrove.pdf |archive-date=2014-12-22 |via=gg.gov.au |mode=cs1}}</ref> The practice in Canada is to include in the governor general's proclamation of appointment, issued under the [[Great Seal of Canada]],<ref name="Proc">See, {{Citation |title=Proclamation, February 1995 |date=22 March 2006 |url=https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SI-95-22/page-1.html |mode=cs1 |via=Justice Laws Website}}</ref> the monarch's commission naming the governor general as commander-in-chief of the [[Canadian Forces]].<ref name=Proc/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor-General's Role |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/governor-generals-role |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411022216/http://gg.gov.au/governor-generals-role |archive-date=11 April 2019 |access-date=27 January 2015 |website=Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia}}</ref> Also dissimilar among the realms are the powers of governors-general. The Belizean constitution provides the governor-general with the power to assent or to withhold assent to laws,<ref name="Constitution of Belize">{{Citation |title=Belize's Constitution of 1981 with Amendments through 2011 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Belize_2011.pdf |via=constituteproject.org |mode=cs1}}</ref> while Papua New Guinea has no requirement for royal assent at all, with laws entering into force when certified as having been passed in Parliament by the Speaker.<ref name="Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea – Section 110">{{Citation |title=Papua New Guinea's Constitution of 1975 with Amendments through 2016 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Papua_New_Guinea_2016.pdf |via=constituteproject.org |mode=cs1}}</ref>

====Temporary replacement====
{{Main|Administrator of the government}}

Different realms have different constitutional arrangements governing who acts in place of the governor-general in the event of their death, resignation, or incapacity.

*In Australia, an [[Administrator (Australia)|''administrator of the Commonwealth'']] performs the necessary official functions in the absence of the Governor-General. The Administrator is generally the longest-serving available [[Governors of the Australian states|state governor]]. Each of the state governors normally hold a [[dormant commission]], which allows them to immediately assume the office as needed. Cases have however occurred where a state governor has fallen out of favour with the federal government, causing the latter to revoke that governor's dormant commission. The most recent example was that of Sir [[Colin Hannah]], governor of Queensland, in 1975.
*In the Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, and New Zealand, it is the [[Chief Justice|chief justice]].
*In Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu it is the [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker]]
*Many have a specific office of ''deputy governor-general'', who act in their place—but often e.g. only for temporary incapacity.

===List of countries with a governor-general===

====Current====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! scope="col" align=left|Commonwealth realm
! scope="col" align=left|Article
! scope="col" |From
|-
|{{Flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
|[[Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda]]
|1981
|-
|{{Flag|Australia}}
|[[Governor-General of Australia]]
|1901
|-
|{{Flag|The Bahamas}}
|[[Governor-General of the Bahamas]]
|1973
|-
|{{Flag|Belize}}
|[[Governor-General of Belize]]
|1981
|-
|{{Flag|Canada}}
|[[Governor General of Canada]]
|1867
|-
|{{Flag|Grenada}}
|[[Governor-General of Grenada]]
|1974
|-
|{{Flag|Jamaica}}
|[[Governor-General of Jamaica]]
|1962
|-
|{{Flag|New Zealand}}
|[[Governor-General of New Zealand]]
|1917
|-
|{{Flag|Papua New Guinea}}
|[[Governor-General of Papua New Guinea]]
|1975
|-
|{{Flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}
|[[Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
|1983
|-
|{{Flag|Saint Lucia}}
|[[Governor-General of Saint Lucia]]
|1979
|-
|{{Flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
|[[Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
|1979
|-
|{{Flag|Solomon Islands}}
|[[Governor-General of Solomon Islands]]
|1978
|-
|{{Flag|Tuvalu}}
|[[Governor-General of Tuvalu]]
|1978
|}

{{For|a list of current governors-general in Commonwealth countries|List of current viceregal representatives of the Crown}}

====Former====
The title has been used in many former British colonies or other territories, which became independent realms and then later became republics. Each of these realms had a governor-general.

;In Africa
*[[Governor-General of the Gambia]] (1965–1970)
*[[Governor-General of Ghana]] (1957–1960)
*[[Governor-General of Kenya]] (1963–1964)
*[[Governor-General of Malawi]] (1964–1966)
*[[Governor-General of Mauritius]] (1968–1992)
*[[List of governors and governors-general of Nigeria|Governor-General of Nigeria]] (1960–1963) 
*[[Governor-General of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland]] (1953–1963) (Although the position was called ''governor-general'', the federation was neither a dominion nor an independent country.)
*[[Governor-General of Sierra Leone]] (1961–1971)
*[[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa]] (1910–1961)
*[[Governor-General of Tanganyika]] (1961–1962)
*[[Governor-General of Uganda]] (1962–1963)
* In [[Rhodesia]] (now [[Zimbabwe]]), a unique situation arose following the [[Unilateral Declaration of Independence (Rhodesia)|Unilateral Declaration of Independence]] in 1965, unrecognised by the United Kingdom. The [[Rhodesian Front]] government of [[Ian Smith]] recognised [[Elizabeth II]] as "[[Queen of Rhodesia]]", but refused to recognise the authority of her governor, [[Humphrey Gibbs|Sir Humphrey Gibbs]], whose duties were performed by an "officer administering the government", [[Clifford Dupont]] (1905–1978). Dupont served in the post until 2 March 1970, when Rhodesia was declared a [[republic]] (an act also unrecognised internationally), and he became [[President of Rhodesia|president]]. The country became an independent republic within the Commonwealth as Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980.

;In the Americas
*[[Governor-General of the West Indies Federation]] (1958–1962) (Although the position was called governor-general, the federation was neither a dominion nor an independent country.)
*[[Governor-General of Barbados]] (1966–2021)
*[[Governor-General of Guyana]] (1966–1970)
*[[Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago]] (1962–1976)

;In Asia
*[[Governor-General of Ceylon]] (1948–1972)
*[[Governor-General of India]] (1833–1950)
*[[Governor-General of Pakistan]] (1947–1956)

;In Europe
*[[Governor-General of the Irish Free State]] (1922–1936)
*[[Governor-General of Malta]] (1964–1974)

;In Oceania
*[[Governor-General of Fiji]] (1970–1987)

==Other colonial and similar usage ==
===Belgium===
* [[Belgian Congo]];
* [[Ruanda-Urundi]]

===France===
The equivalent term in French is ''gouverneur général'',{{NoteTag|The term ''Gouverneur général'' is still the official title in French in Canada, but refers to the British-instituted office.}} used in the following colonies:

* From 1887 to 1945 the French appointed a [[list of governors-general of French Indochina|governor-general]] to govern [[French Indochina]] (modern-day [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]], and [[Vietnam]]); the function of the High Commissioner in the Pacific Ocean, from 22 March 1907 held by the governors of [[New Caledonia]], was used to coordinate that colony, the other French settlements in Oceania and the other governors of French Indochina and the [[resident commissioner]]s of the [[New Hebrides]] and the [[resident minister|residents]] of [[Wallis and Futuna]] were subordinated to him.
* The governor-general of [[New France]] was the vice-regal post in New France from 1663 until 1760 and was the last French vice-regal post. It was replaced by the British post of governor of the [[Province of Quebec]] following the fall of New France. While the districts of [[Montreal]] and [[Trois-Rivières]] had their own governors, the governor-general of New France and the governor of the district of Quebec were the same person.
* From 1699 to 1947, the French appointed a governor and general commander ({{langx|fr|Gouverneur de Pondichéry et commandant général des établissements français aux Indes orientales}}) to administer [[French India]] (including [[History of Pondicherry|Pondichéry]]).
*Governors-general of the [[Mascarene Islands]] (under control of the [[charter companies|chartered]] [[French Indies Company]] to 14 July 1767) from 4 June 1735 (succeeding to governors), and after its split-up of [[Mauritius]] (Réunion and the Seychelles got lower-styled [[commandant]]s or governors), until 25 September 1803
* [[Haiti]] January 1714 – 31 December 1803; last incumbent [[Jean-Jacques Dessalines]] shortly maintained the title after the January I, 1804 independence before proclaiming himself Emperor Jacques I
* Since its creation on 16 June 1895 in [[French West Africa]] (AOF), until 4 April 1957; the last stayed on as first of two high commissioners
* [[Madagascar]]
* From 28 June 1908 (previously it had a [[Commissaire général]], i.e. commissioner general) to 4 April 1957 (the last stayed on as first of three high commissioners) in [[French Equatorial Africa]] (AEF); during several periods he also acted as governor of the constitutive colony [[Congo Brazzaville]].

Furthermore, in Napoleonic Europe successive French governors-general were appointed by [[Napoleon I]] in:
* the German states of [[Brandenburg]] (various others got "mere" governors), two incumbents between 27 October 1806 and 10 December 1808, during the French occupation
* Province of [[Courland]] under the French occupation (from 1 August 1812, Duchy of Courland and Semigallia and District of [[Pilten]] nominally re-established under joint French-Saxon protectorate 8 October 1812 – 20 December 1812) : Jacques David Martin, baron de Campredon (1761–1837)
* [[Parma and Piacenza]] under occupation, (after a commissioner) 15 February 1804 – 23 July 1808, later annexed as ''département'' under a "[[prefect]] of [[Taro]]".
* principality of [[Piombino]] May 1806 – 1811: Adolphe Beauvais (d. 1811)
* annexed [[Tuscany]], two incumbents, over prefects for [[Arno (department)|Arno]], [[Méditerranée]] [Mediterranean] and [[Ombrone]]:
** May 1808 – 3 March 1809 Jacques François de Boussay, baron de Menou (1750–1810)
** 3 March 1809 – 1 February 1814 Elisa Baciocchi Bonaparte (with courtesy style of Grand Duchess of Tuscany) (1777–1820)
* the [[Illyrian Provinces]] (comprising present [[Croatia]], [[Slovenia]] and even adjacent parts of [[Austria]] and Italy), annexed as part of the French Empire proper, 14 October 1809 – August 1813

===Italy===
During the [[Fascist Italy|fascist period]], [[Italian Libya|Libya]] and [[Italian East Africa|East Africa]] were ruled by governor-generals, the former [[List of governors-general of Italian Libya|from 1934 to 1943]], and the latter [[List of governors-general of Italian East Africa|from 1936 to 1941]] (who was also the [[Viceroy#Italian colonies|Viceroy]] of [[Ethiopian Empire#Italian invasion and World War II|Ethiopia]]).

===Japan===
From 1895 to 1945, [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Japanese-administered Taiwan]] had a [[Governor-General of Taiwan|governor-general]]. From 1910 to 1945, [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese-administered Korea]] had a [[Governor-General of Korea|governor-general]]. From 1905 to 1910, Japan had a [[Japanese Resident-General of Korea|resident-general]] in [[Korean Empire|Korea]].

===Netherlands===
From 1610 to 1942 the Dutch appointed a ''[[Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies|gouverneur-generaal]]'' ("governor-general") to govern the [[Netherlands East Indies]], now [[Indonesia]]. Between the capitulation of the Dutch East Indies in 1942 and the formal end of colonial rule over Indonesia by the Dutch in 1949, no governor-general was appointed.

While in the Caribbean, various other titles were used, Curaçao had three governors-general between 1816 and 1820:

*1816–1819 Albert Kikkert
*1819–1820 Petrus Bernardus van Starkenborgh
*1820 Isaäk Johannes Rammelman Elsevier

===Philippines===
{{Main|Governor-General of the Philippines}}

The Philippines from the 16th through the 20th century had a series of governors-general during the Spanish and American colonial periods, as well as the brief [[Japanese occupation of the Philippines|Japanese occupation]] during [[World War II]].

====Spain====
Beginning 21 November 1564, the [[Spanish East Indies]] had a [[Governor-General of the Philippines|governor-general]], which was under the [[Viceroyalty of New Spain|Viceroy of New Spain]] based in [[Mexico]]. After the successful [[Mexican War of Independence]] in 1821, the governor-general reported directly to [[Spain]].

====United States====
From 1899 to 1935 under [[Military Government of the Philippine Islands|initial military rule]] then [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Insular Government]], the [[Philippines]] was administered by a series of [[Governor-General of the Philippines|governors-general]], first military and then civilian, appointed by the [[federal government of the United States]].

===Portugal===
The equivalent word in Portuguese is ''governador-geral''. This title was only used for the governors of the major colonies, indicating that they had, under their authority, several subordinate governors. In most of the colonies, lower titles, mainly ''governador'' (governor) or formerly [[captain-major]] (''capitão-mor''), prevailed
*In the [[Portuguese State of India]] (''Estado da Índia'', capital [[Goa]]) the style was changed repeatedly for another, mostly ''vice-rei'' ([[Viceroy]]). The viceroy title was usually reserved for members of the Portuguese royal family, the remaining governors receiving the title of ''governador-general'';
*in Africa, from 1837 Portugal appointed a governor-general to govern the overseas province of [[Portuguese Angola|Angola]], and another to govern the province of [[Portuguese Mozambique|Moçambique]]. For some time, a governor-general was also appointed to rule [[Portuguese Cape Verde|Cape Verde]] and [[Portuguese Guinea]], while these territories were united in a single province. Between 1921 and 1930, additional powers were given to some of the Angola and Mozambique governors, who were restyled in full ''Alto-comissário e governador-geral'' (high commissioner and governor-general).

====Brazil====
{{Main|List of governors-general of Brazil}}
{{Further|Governorate General of Brazil}}

In [[Colonial Brazil|Brazil]], after a few governors, from 1578 until its promotion in 1763 to a [[viceroyalty]] (though various members of the nobility since 1640 had assumed, without sovereign authority, the title of Viceroy).

== Other Western usage ==
===Greece===
The [[Balkan Wars]] of 1912–13 led to the Greek acquisition of the so-called "New Lands" ([[Epirus (Greece)|Epirus]], [[Macedonia (Greece)|Macedonia]], [[Crete]] and the islands of the eastern Aegean), almost doubling the country's territory. Instead of fully incorporating these new lands into Greece by dividing them into [[prefectures of Greece|prefectures]], the Ottoman administrative system continued in existence for a while, and Law ΔΡΛΔ΄ of 1913 established five governorates-general (Γενικαὶ Διοικήσεις, sing. Γενική Διοίκησις): Epirus, Macedonia, Crete, [[Northern Aegean|Aegean]] and [[Samos]]–[[Ikaria]]. The governors-general had wide-ranging authority in their territories, and were almost autonomous of the government in Athens.

Law 524 in 1914 abolished the governorates-general and divided the New Lands into regular prefectures, but in 1918 Law 1149 re-instated them as a superordinate administrative level above the prefectures, with Macedonia now divided in two governorates-general, those of Thessaloniki and [[Kozani]]–[[Florina]]. The governors-general of Thessaloniki, Crete and Epirus were also given ministerial rank. To these was added the Governorate-General of Thrace in 1920–22, comprising [[Western Thrace]] and [[Eastern Thrace]] (returned to Turkey in the [[Armistice of Mudanya]] in 1922). The extensive but hitherto legally rather undefined powers of the governors-general created friction and confusion with other government branches, until their remit was exactly delineated in 1925. The governorates-general, except for that of Thessaloniki, were abolished in 1928, but re-established in December 1929—for Crete, Epirus, Thrace, and Macedonia—and delegated practically all ministerial authorities for their respective areas. Over the next decade, however, in a see-saw of legislative measures that in turn gave and took away authority, they gradually lost most of their powers in favour of the prefectures and the central government in Athens.

Following liberation from the [[Axis occupation of Greece|Axis occupation]], in 1945 the Governorate-General of Northern Greece was established, initially with subordinate governorates for [[West Macedonia]], [[Central Macedonia]], [[East Macedonia and Thrace|East Macedonia, and Thrace]], the first three of which were then grouped anew into a new Governorate-General of Macedonia, albeit still subject to the Governorate-General of Northern Greece. This awkward arrangement lasted until 1950, when the administration of Macedonia was streamlined, the junior governorates abolished and only the Governorate-General of Northern Greece retained. Finally, in 1955, the Governorate-General of Northern Greece was transformed into the [[Ministry of Northern Greece]], and all other governorates-general elsewhere in Greece were abolished.

===Sweden===
{{Main|Governor-General in the Swedish Realm}}
From 1636 to 1815, the [[Monarchy of Sweden|king of]] [[Sweden]] typically appointed the [[Governors-General of Sweden|governors-general of Sweden]] for the [[Dominions of Sweden|Swedish Dominions]] on the eastern side of the [[Baltic Sea]] and in northern Germany, but occasionally also for [[Skåne|Scania]].

===Others===
* From 1809 to 1918, [[Russia]] designated [[Governor-General of Finland|governors-general of Finland]] in the [[Grand Duchy of Finland]]; [[Vistula Land#Government|Governors-General of Poland]] in [[Vistula Land]] and other Governors-General in various other [[Guberniya|governorates-general]] ([[Caucasus Viceroyalty (1801–1917)|Caucasus]], [[Russian Turkestan|Turkestan]], [[Governor-Generalship of the Steppes|Steppes]], etc.).
* During [[World War I]] in the [[Russian occupation of Eastern Galicia (1914–1915)]], the Russian government appointed two successive governors-general, Sergei Sheremetev and Count [[Georgiy Bobrinsky]].
* From 1939 to 1944, during the German occupation of [[Poland]], in that part of the country designated the [[General Government]] the Nazi official [[Hans Frank]] had the title Governor-General ({{langx|de|Generalgouverneur für die besetzten polnischen Gebiete}} – Governor-General of the occupied Polish areas).
* The [[Kingdom of Saxony]] had two governors-general during the period of [[Sixth Coalition|Allied]] control of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Generalgouvernement Sachsen|de|3=Generalgouvernement Sachsen}} after the defeat of the French emperor [[Napoleon I]]:
** 28 October 1813 – 8 November 1814 Prince Nikolay Grigorievich Repnin-Volkonsky (Russia) (1778–1845)
** 8 November 1814 – 8 June 1815 Eberhard Friedrich Christoph Ludwig, [[Freiherr]] von der Recke (Prussia) (1744–1826)
* During the occupation of [[Serbia]] by [[Austria-Hungary|Austrian-Hungarian]] and Bulgarian forces in [[World War I]], the Austrian-Hungarian government appointed three consecutive governors-general:
** 1 January 1916 – July 1916 Johan Ulrich Graf von Salis-Seewis (1862–1940)
** July 1916 – October 1918 [[Adolf von Rhemen|Adolf Freiherr von Rhemen zu Barensfeld]] (1855–1932)
** October 1918 – T1 November 1918 [[Hermann Kövess von Kövessháza|Hermann Freiherr Kövess von Kövessháza]] (1854–1924; a former military commander in northern Serbia)

== Asian counterparts ==
* From 1644 to 1911, in [[Qing dynasty]] China, a governor-general or ''[[Viceroys in China|viceroy]]'' ({{zh|t=總督|s=总督|w=Tsung<sup>3</sup>-tu<sup>1</sup>|p=Zǒngdū}}) was the highest official of joint military and civil affairs in one or several [[Province of China|provinces]].
* The hereditary ''[[shōgun]]'' of Japan ({{langx|ja|征夷大将軍}}, ''sei-i tai-shōgun'') who ruled in the name of the emperor from 1185 until 1868 were equivalent to governors-general, though they often had far greater power than a governor-general would ordinarily have.
* [[Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran]]
**The [[Provinces of Iran|provincial]] authority is headed by an appointed governor-general<ref name="IRNA" /> ([[Persian Language|Persian]]: استاندار, ''ostāndār'').
*Umayyad Empire
**The governor of Iraq appointed the governors of eastern provinces. Hence the Iraqi governor served as a Viceroy of the Caliph. See: Hajjaj bin Yousuf.
* Vietnam: [[Viceroys of Vietnam]]

==See also==
*[[Administrator of the government]]
*[[Administrator General (disambiguation)|Administrator General]]
*[[Government House]], the name of the official residences of governors-general in the British Commonwealth (past and present)
*[[Governor]]
*[[Governor-in-chief]]
*[[Governor-General of the Philippines]]
*[[High commissioner]]
*[[Lieutenant governor]]
*[[Viceroy]]
*[[Aruba]] and the [[Netherlands Antilles]]; territories of the [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|Dutch Monarchy]]
*[[Guberniya]], governor-generalship in the [[Russian Empire]]
*[[Representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
**[[Roman administration of Judaea (AD 6–135)]] (Roman governors)
**[[List of Roman governors of Asia]]
**[[List of Ottoman governors of Egypt]]
*Some defunct political entities: [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State]], [[Governor-General of the Federation of the West Indies]], [[Governor-General of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland]], [[Governor of Southern Rhodesia]], [[Governor-General of French Indochina]]
*Some former Commonwealth realms in the Americas [[Governor-General of Barbados]], [[Governor-General of Guyana]], [[Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago]]
*Some former Commonwealth realms in Africa: [[Governor-General of Nigeria]], [[Governor-General of Sierra Leone]], [[Governor-General of Tanzania]], [[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa]], [[Governor-General of Uganda]], [[Governor-General of Gambia]], [[Governor-General of Kenya]], [[Governor-General of Ghana]], [[Governor-General of Malawi]]
*Some former Commonwealth realms in Asia [[Governor-General of India]], [[Governor-General of Pakistan]], [[Governor-General of Sri Lanka]]
*Some former Commonwealth realms in Europe [[Governor-General of Malta]]
*Some former Commonwealth realms in Oceania [[Governor-General of Fiji]]

== Notes and references ==

=== Notes ===
{{NoteFoot}}

===References===
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/COLONIES.html#British WorldStatesmen]
* [http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-search/display?irn=51086 National Museum of Australia] Governor-General's [[red box (government)|despatch box]] (1937–1952)

{{Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Commonwealth realms]]
[[Category:Governors-general| ]]
[[Category:Heads of state]]
[[Category:Governance of the British Empire]]