View source for Monarchy of Belize

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{{EngvarB|date=May 2013}}
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{{Infobox monarchy
| royal_title        = King
| realm              = Belize
| coatofarms         = Coat_of_arms_of_Belize.svg
| coatofarms_article = Coat of arms of Belize
| image              =King Charles III (July 2023).jpg
| incumbent          = [[Charles III]]
| incumbentsince     = 8 September 2022
| his/her            = His
| heir_apparent      = [[William, Prince of Wales]]
| first_monarch      = [[Elizabeth II]]
| date               = 21 September 1981
}}The '''monarchy of Belize''' is a system of government in which a hereditary [[monarch]] is the sovereign and [[head of state]] of [[Belize]]. The current Belizean monarch and head of state, since 8 September 2022, is [[King Charles III]]. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Belizean Crown. Although the person of the sovereign is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled ''King'' ''of Belize'' and, in this capacity, he and other members of the [[British Royal Family|royal family]] undertake public and private functions as representatives of the Belizean state. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any [[Constitution of Belize|constitutional]] role.

All [[executive (government)|executive]] authority is vested in the monarch, and [[royal assent]] is required for the [[National Assembly (Belize)|National Assembly]] to enact laws and for [[letters patent]] and [[Order in Council|Orders in Council]] to have legal effect. Most of the powers are exercised by the elected members of parliament, government ministers, and judges. Other powers vested in the monarch are significant but are treated only as [[reserve power]]s and as an important security part of the role of the monarchy.

The Crown today primarily functions as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance and a nonpartisan safeguard against the [[abuse of power]]. While some powers are exercisable only by the sovereign, most of the monarch's operational and ceremonial duties are exercised by his representative, the [[Governor-General of Belize|governor-general of Belize]].

==Origins==
{{further|British Honduras}}
{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=[[Elizabeth II|Her Majesty The Queen]] played an important role in the existence of Belize. Had we not been under her realm, we would not be Belize. We would have been swallowed by another nation.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=1 October 2022|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgMl-rU29U4|via=YouTube|title=London Bridge is Down|work=Channel 5 Belize}}</ref>| salign=right| source=Former Government Minister Hector Silva, 2022}}

In 1836, after the [[Spanish American wars of independence|emancipation of Central America from Spanish rule]], the British claimed the right to administer the region nowadays known as [[Belize]]. In 1862, the Settlement of Belize in the [[Bay of Honduras]] was declared a British colony called [[British Honduras]], and the crown's representative was elevated to a [[lieutenant governor]], subordinate to the [[governor of Jamaica]].<ref name=cs>Bolland, Nigel. "Belize: Historical Setting". In [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bztoc.html ''A Country Study: Belize''] (Tim Merrill, editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (January 1992). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref>

Under a new constitution, the United Kingdom granted British Honduras self-governance in 1964. On 1 June 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize.<ref name="caricom">{{Cite web|title=Belize|url=https://caricom.org/country_profiles/belize/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=CARICOM|language=en-US}}</ref> Independence from the United Kingdom was granted on 21 September 1981, following the signing of the Belize Independence Order in 1981 by Queen Elizabeth II, which made Belize a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy.<ref>{{citation|page=31|title=Belize|year=2020|isbn=9781502655745|publisher=Cavendish Square Publishing LLC|author=Leslie Jermyn, Jui Lin Yong, Jason Brainard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Belize Independence Order 1981|work=legislation.gov.uk|access-date=24 January 2022 |url= https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1981/1107/pdfs/uksi_19811107_en.pdf}}</ref>

[[Prince Michael of Kent]] represented the Queen at the independence celebrations.<ref name="The Prince">{{cite web|url=http://www.princemichael.org.uk/the-prince/|title=The Prince|work=Prince Michael of Kent|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=34|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hyk2k-eVvN8C|title=Belize in Pictures|year=2009|isbn=9781575059587|publisher=Twenty-First Century Books|author=Thomas Streissguth}}</ref> In the capital, Belmopan, in the morning of 21 September, Prince Michael handed the instruments of independence to [[George Cadle Price|George Price]], who became the prime minister of the newly independent country. [[Elmira Minita Gordon]], a sociologist, was appointed governor-general of Belize by the Queen the same day,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/22/world/belize-celebrates-its-independence.html|title=Belize Celebrates its Independence|date=22 September 1981|work=The New York Times|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> who upon assuming office became the first female governor-general in Commonwealth history.<ref>[https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/01/02/dame-elmira-minita-gordon-trailblazing-educator-and-first-governor-general-dead-at-90/ Dame Elmira Minita Gordon, trailblazing educator and first Governor-General, dead at 90], breakingbelizenews.com. 2 January 2021. Accessed 28 November 2022.</ref>

==The Belizean Crown and its aspects==
{{Further|Commonwealth realm#Relationship of the realms}}

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Your Majesty, the people of Belize welcome you into our hearts and our homes, our land is your land, our homes are your homes. Together we are the historical ideals of the Belizean experience, which make this land of the free by the Carib sea, truly a tranquil haven of democracy.<ref>{{citation|page=3|title=The New Belize: Volumes 14–15|year=1984 |publisher=Government Information Service|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gcFqAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>| salign=right| source=Prime Minister [[Manuel Esquivel]], addressing Queen Elizabeth II of Belize, 1985}}

The sovereign of Belize is shared with 14 other [[Commonwealth realms]], members of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] that share the same person as sovereign. However, the monarch's relationship with Belize is completely independent from his position as monarch of any other realm. Despite sharing the same person as their respective national monarch, each of the Commonwealth realms is sovereign and independent of the others.<ref>The [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|English Court of Appeal]] ruled in 1982, while "there is only one person who is the Sovereign within the British Commonwealth... in matters of law and government the Queen of the United Kingdom, for example, is entirely independent and distinct from the Queen of Canada." [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1999/30.html R v Foreign Secretary; Ex parte Indian Association, QB 892 at 928; as referenced in High Court of Australia: Sue v Hill [1999&#93; HCA 30; 23 June 1999; S179/1998 and B49/1998]</ref>

Since independence in 1981, the Belizean Crown has had both a shared and a separate character and the sovereign's role as monarch of Belize is distinct to his or her position as monarch of any other realm, including the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite court| litigants=R v Foreign Secretary, Ex parte Indian Association (as referenced in High Court of Australia: Sue v Hill [1999] HCA 30; 23 June 1999; S179/1998 and B49/1998)| vol=QB 892 at 928| court=English Court of Appeal| date=June 1999| url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1999/30.html}}</ref><ref name="Buck1">{{cite web| url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4928.asp| author=Royal Household| title=The Queen and Commonwealth > Other Caribbean Realms| publisher=Queen's Printer}}</ref> Only Belizean ministers can advise the sovereign on matters of the Belizean state.<ref name="Buck1" /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120229041357/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandBelize2/TheQueensroleinBelize.aspx The Queen's role in Belize]</ref><ref>{{citation|page=279|title=The Monarchy and the Constitution|year=1995|isbn=9780191520891|publisher=Clarendon Press|author=Vernon Bogdanor}}</ref> The monarchy thus ceased to be an exclusively British institution and in Belize became a Belizean, or "domesticated" establishment.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=Mallory| first=J.R.| title=Seals and Symbols: From Substance to Form in Commonwealth Equality| journal=The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science| volume=22| issue=3| pages=281–291| publisher=Blackwell Publishing| location=Montreal| date=August 1956| doi=10.2307/138434| jstor=138434| issn=0008-4085}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=205|quote=The Crown is an institution that has grown to become specific to the country in which it now finds itself planted. No longer just a British monarchy, the Crown is separately a Jamaican monarchy, Tuvaluan monarchy, Canadian monarchy, et cetera.|title=Canada's Constitutional Monarchy: An Introduction to Our Form of Government|year=2011|isbn=9781554889808|publisher=Dundurn|author=Nathan Tidridge}}</ref>

This division is illustrated in a number of ways: The sovereign, for example, holds [[#Title|a unique Belizean title]] and,<ref name=divi>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FhFyvhpPx8MC&pg=PA143|title=Majesty in Canada|isbn=978-1-55002-586-6|last1=Coates|first1=Colin Macmillan|year=2006|page=143}}</ref> when he is acting in public specifically as a representative of Belize, he uses, where possible, Belizean symbols, including the country's [[Flag of Belize|national flag]] and the like.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

[[File:Flag of the Governor-General of Belize.svg|thumb|The flag of the [[Governor-General of Belize|governor-general of Belize]], featuring [[St Edward's Crown]] in the centre, and a crowned lion on top.]]

In Belize, the legal personality of the [[Sovereign state|state]] is referred to as the "Crown in Right of Belize", or "His Majesty in right of His Government in Belize", or the "Crown in right of His Majesty's Government in Belize".<ref name=const>{{cite web|url=http://www.belizelaw.org/web/belize_constitution02.pdf|title=The Constitution of Belize|work=belizelaw.org|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="hmgvt">{{cite web|work=belizelaw.org|access-date=14 January 2022|url=http://www.belizelaw.org/web/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap167.pdf|title=Crown Proceedings Act}}</ref>

===Title===

In Belize, the King's official title is: ''Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Belize and of His Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth''.<ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandBelize2/Overview.aspx Queen and Belize] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401000010/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandBelize2/Overview.aspx|date=1 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="belize">{{cite web|title=Belize: Heads of State: 1981–2021|url=http://www.archontology.org/nations/belize/00_1981_td_s.php|access-date=22 May 2021|publisher=archontology.org}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=449|title=Honor and Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address|year=2023|isbn=9780226830674|publisher=University of Chicago Press|author=Robert Hickey}}</ref>

This style communicates Belize's status as an independent monarchy, highlighting the sovereign's role specifically as Sovereign of Belize, as well as the shared aspect of the Crown throughout the Commonwealth realms. Typically, the sovereign is styled "King of Belize", and is addressed as such when in Belize.<ref name=divi/>

===Succession===
{{Further|Succession to the British throne}}

{{Annotated image 4
| image       = Realms Lunch Coronation Event (52872247956).jpg
| align       = left
| width       = 255
| height      = 230
| image-width = 490
| image-left  = -125
| image-top   = -25
| caption     = [[William, Prince of Wales]], the current heir apparent to the Belizean throne, with Governor-General [[Dame Froyla Tzalam]], 2023
| icon        = none
}}

Like some realms, Belize defers to United Kingdom law to determine the line of succession.<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-26/HCWS490/| last=Clegg| first=Nick| title=Commencement of Succession to the Crown Act 2013 :Written statement – HCWS490| date=26 March 2015| publisher=Queen's Printer| location=London| access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref>

Succession is by [[primogeniture|absolute primogeniture]] governed by the provisions of the [[Succession to the Crown Act 2013]], as well as the [[Act of Settlement 1701]], and the [[Bill of Rights 1689]]. This legislation limits the succession to the natural (i.e. non-[[adoption|adopted]]), legitimate descendants of [[Sophia of Hanover|Sophia, Electress of Hanover]], and stipulates that the monarch cannot be a [[Roman Catholic]], and must be in communion with the [[Church of England]] upon ascending the throne. Though these constitutional laws, as they apply to Belize, still lie within the control of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British parliament]], both the United Kingdom and Belize cannot change the rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other realms, unless explicitly leaving the shared monarchy relationship; a situation that applies identically in all the other realms, and which has been likened to a [[treaty]] amongst these countries.<ref>Justice Rouleau in a [[O'Donohue v. Canada|2003 court ruling]] wrote that "Union under the&nbsp;... Crown together with other Commonwealth countries [is a] constitutional principle". [http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2003/2003canlii41404/2003canlii41404.html O’Donohue v. Canada, 2003 CanLII 41404 (ON S.C.)]</ref>

{{External media |float=right|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dtk7wHnTEo Commemoration Service held in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II] <br>Source: ''[[VPL-FM|Love FM]]''.}}

Upon a [[demise of the Crown]] (the death or abdication of a sovereign), it is customary for the accession of the new monarch to be proclaimed by the governor-general in the capital, Belmopan, after the accession. Regardless of any proclamations, the late sovereign's heir immediately and automatically succeeds, without any need for confirmation or further ceremony. An appropriate period of mourning also follows, during which flags across the country are flown at half-mast to honour the late monarch.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/240658|title=Long Live the King|date=9 September 2022|work=Channel5Belize.com}}</ref> The day of the funeral is likely to be a public holiday.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2022 |title=Gov't of Belize Declares One-Time Holiday To Observe Queen's Funeral |url=http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=63437 |access-date=14 September 2022 |website=7 News}}</ref> A memorial service commemorating the late monarch is likely to be held at [[St. John's Cathedral (Belize City)|St. John's Cathedral]], Belize City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2022/10/21/memorial-service-in-honour-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-to-be-held-on-saturday/|date=21 October 2022|title=Memorial service in honour of Queen Elizabeth II to be held on Saturday|work=Breaking Belize News}}</ref>

==Constitutional role and royal prerogative==

[[File:08.17 「同慶之旅」總統拜會貝里斯總督.jpg|thumb|Governor-General [[Sir Colville Young]] and President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] of Taiwan converse under a portrait of [[Queen Elizabeth II]], 2018]]

The [[Constitution of Belize|Belizean Constitution]] gives Belize a similar parliamentary system of government as the other Commonwealth realms, in which all powers of the state are constitutionally reposed in the monarch, who is represented by the [[List of Governors-General of Belize|governor-general of Belize]]; appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the [[prime minister of Belize]]. The monarch's domestic duties are performed by this [[Viceroy|vice-regal]] representative.<ref name=pipgg/>

The role of the monarch and the governor-general is both legal and practical; the Crown is regarded as a corporation, in which several parts share the authority of the whole, with the monarch as the person at the centre of the constitutional construct.<ref name="Murdoch" />

===Executive===

The governor-general is responsible for appointing a prime minister,<ref name=exe/> who thereafter heads the [[Cabinet of Belize|Cabinet]] and [[Advice (constitutional)|advises the monarch or governor-general]] on how to execute their executive powers over all aspects of government operations and foreign affairs. The monarch is informed by the governor-general of the acceptance of the resignation of a prime minister and the swearing-in of a new prime minister and members of the ministry.<ref>{{cite web|work=Royal.uk|title=Belize|access-date=24 January 2022|url=https://www.royal.uk/belize}}</ref>

The governor-general also appoints and dismisses ministers, members of various executive agencies, and other officials.<ref name=exe/><ref name=leg>{{cite web|url=https://www.belizelaw.org/web/e_library/constitution_06.html|title=Part VI: The Legislature|work=Belize Law}}</ref>

There are also a few duties which must be specifically performed by the monarch, such as signing the appointment papers of governors-general.<ref>{{citation|page=48|title=Belize: Case Study for Democracy in Central America|isbn=9780566057212|year=1989|publisher=Avebury|author=Julio A. Fernandez}}</ref>

As all executive authority of Belize is vested in the sovereign,<ref name=exe>{{cite web|url=https://www.belizelaw.org/web/e_library/constitution_05.html|title=Part V: The Executive|work=Belize Law}}</ref> the institutions of government are said to act under his authority; hence, the government of Belize is formally referred to as "His Majesty's Government in Belize".<ref name="hmgvt"/>

===Foreign affairs===

[[File:Michelle Kwan presents her Letters of Credence to Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam.jpg|thumb|U.S. Ambassador to Belize Michelle Kwan presenting her credentials to Governor-General [[Dame Froyla Tzalam]], 2022]]

The Royal Prerogative also extends to foreign affairs: the sovereign or the governor-general may negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements; no parliamentary approval is required. However, a treaty cannot alter the domestic laws of Belize; an Act of Parliament is necessary in such cases. The governor-general, on behalf of the monarch, also accredits Belizean [[High Commissioner]]s and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/presentation-of-credentials/|work=Government of Belize Press Office|title=Presentation of Credentials|date=18 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/presentation-of-credentials-5/|work=Government of Belize Press Office|title=Presentation of Credentials|access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref>

In addition, the issuance of passports falls under the Royal Prerogative and, as such, all [[Belizean passport]]s are issued in the governor-general's name, the monarch's vice-regal representative.<ref>[https://www.royal.uk/passports Passports]</ref>

===National Assembly===
The governor-general is responsible for summoning the two Houses of the [[National Assembly of Belize|National Assembly]]: the [[Senate (Belize)|Senate]] and the [[House of Representatives (Belize)|House of Representatives]], and may at any time [[Legislative session|prorogue]] or [[dissolution of Parliament|dissolve]] the National Assembly.<ref name=leg/> At the opening of a new parliamentary session, the governor-general reads the [[Speech from the Throne]], outlining the government's legislative agenda.<ref>{{citation|page=3|title=The Office of the Governor-General of Belize: A Booklet of Information|year=1995|publisher=Belize House|author=Amelia D. Poornananda}}</ref><ref name=pipgg>{{cite web|title=People in Parliamnet: Governor-General|url=https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/national-assembly/|work=National Assembly of Belize|access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref> A general election follows dissolution, the [[Writ of election|writs for which]] are issued by the governor-general at Belize House.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2015/09/29/governor-general-issues-writ-election/|title=Governor General issues Writ of Election|date=29 September 2015|work=Breaking Belize News}}</ref>

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Your presence in this Honourable House of Representatives intensifies our faith in the principles of constitutional democracy, which are the pillars of Your Majesty's Government in Belize, and which guide the deliberations of this National Assembly.<ref name=rvb/>| salign=right| source=[[Bernard Q. Pitts]], [[List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Belize|Speaker of the House of Representatives]] addressing the Queen of Belize, 1994}}

Further, the constitution outlines that the governor-general alone is responsible for appointing senators. The viceroy must make five senatorial appointments on the advice of the prime minister, one after consulting the Belize Advisory Council, and two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, or if the position is vacant, then in accordance with the advice of person(s) selected by the governor-general in his own deliberate judgment.<ref name=leg/>

[[File:Mace of the National Assembly of Belize - 08.17 「同慶之旅」總統於貝里斯國會演講，圖為國會權杖.jpg|thumb|Mace of the National Assembly of Belize]]

All laws in Belize are enacted with the viceroy's signature.<ref name=pipgg/> The granting of a signature to a bill is known as [[Royal Assent]]; it, and proclamation, are required for all acts of parliament, usually granted or withheld by the governor-general, with the Public Seal of Belize.<ref>{{citation|title=Belize Government Gazette|publisher=Government Printery|author=Belize|year=2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SHxXAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

The authority of the Crown is embodied in the mace of the House of Representatives, which bears a crown at its apex; unlike other bicameral realms, however, the Belizean legislature only has a mace for the lower house.<ref>{{cite web|work=National Assembly of Belize|access-date=23 January 2022|url=https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/mace-national-assembly-belize/|title=Mace of the National Assembly}}</ref>

Because the Belizean monarchy is a constitutional one, the powers that are constitutionally the monarch's are exercised almost wholly upon the advice of her prime minister and the [[Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown]] in Cabinet, who are, in turn, accountable to the democratically elected House of Representatives, and through it, to the people. The monarch's role, and thereby the [[viceroy]]'s role, is almost entirely symbolic and cultural, acting as a symbol of the legal authority under which all governments and agencies operate. In exceptional circumstances, however, the monarch or viceroy can act against such advice based upon his or her [[reserve power]]s.<ref name="Murdoch">[http://www.murdoch.edu.au/elaw/issues/v9n3/cox93.html Cox, Noel; ''Murdoch University Electronic Journal of Law'': Black v Chrétien: Suing a Minister of the Crown for Abuse of Power, Misfeasance in Public Office and Negligence; Volume 9, Number 3 (September 2002)]</ref>

===Courts===
The sovereign is responsible for rendering justice to all his subjects, and is thus traditionally deemed the ''fount of justice''.<ref>{{citation|last1=Davis|first1=Reginald|title=Elizabeth, our Queen|year=1976|publisher=Collins|isbn=9780002112338|pages=36}}</ref> In Belize, criminal offences are legally deemed to be offences against the sovereign and proceedings for [[indictment|indictable]] offences are brought in the sovereign's name in the form of ''The King [or Queen] versus [Name]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Courts order proceedings in the name of the new King|date=8 September 2022|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2022/09/08/courts-order-proceedings-in-the-name-of-the-new-king/|work=Breaking Belize News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Queen v Marco Suazo|url=https://www.belizejudiciary.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Indictment-S17-of-2018-THE-QUEEN-v-MARCO-SUAZO-JUDGMENT.pdf|work=belizejudiciary.org|access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Queen v Mr. Elmer Javier Carillo|url=https://www.belizejudiciary.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Indictment-No-S14-of-2018-The-Queen-v-Elmer-Carillo-JUDGMENT.pdf|work=belizejudiciary.org|access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Queen v Keyron Gibson|url=https://www.belizejudiciary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Indictment-No.-C12-of-2016-The-Queen-v-Keyron-Gibson-Judgment.pdf|work=belizejudiciary.org|access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref> Hence, the common law holds that the sovereign "can do no wrong", and the [[Sovereign immunity|monarch cannot be prosecuted]] in his or her own courts for criminal offences.<ref>{{Halsbury|12(1)|Crown Proceedings and Crown Practice|101}}</ref>

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=left|fontsize=88%| quote=As your Sovereign, I am proud to associate myself with your determination that social justice and personal freedom should flourish under the rule of law.<ref name=rvb>{{cite web|title=THE ROYAL VISIT TO BELIZE (22–24 FEBRUARY)|access-date=13 October 2021|date=23 March 1994|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/680403/The_Royal_Visit_To_Belize_22-24_Feb_94__redacted.pdf}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Elizabeth II of Belize]], 1994}}

The appointment of the chief justice of Belize, and other justices of the Supreme Court also falls under the Royal Prerogative, and these duties are assigned to the governor-general by the Constitution.<ref name=jud>{{cite web|url=https://www.belizelaw.org/web/e_library/constitution_07.html|title=Part VII: The Judiciary|work=Belize Law}}</ref>

The governor-general can also grant immunity from prosecution, exercise the "prerogative of mercy", and pardon offences against the Crown. Pardons may be awarded before, during, or after a trial. The exercise of the 'Prerogative of Mercy' to grant a pardon and the commutation of prison sentences in described in section 52 of the Belizean Constitution.<ref name=exe/>

==Cultural role==

[[File:Commonwealth Day parade 2019.jpg|thumb|Queen Elizabeth II's personal flag flying at the Sovereign's Day parade in Belize City, 2019]]

Belize celebrates the birthday of its monarch every year in May. The day is known as ''Sovereign's Day'', and is marked by parades in Belize City, although it is not an official public holiday, like in the UK.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2022-updated/|title=Public and Bank Holidays, 2022 (Updated)|publisher=Government of Belize Press Office|accessdate=14 February 2022}}</ref> Horse races, conducted by the National Sports Council, are held in Belize City's National Stadium and Orange Walk Town's People's Stadium. A cycling race, also arranged by the National Sports Council, is held between the cities of Belmopan and Cayo. There is a flag-raising ceremony among other events held at schools and universities to commemorate Sovereign's Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/docs/1111/Holidays%20Act%20Chapter%20289.pdf|title=Holidays Act|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A9llXRRR1HgC|isbn=9781581578522|title=Explorer's Guide Belize: A Great Destination|year=2010|publisher=Countryman Press|author=Kate Joynes-Burgess}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://publicholidays.bz/sovereigns-day/|access-date=10 January 2022|title=Sovereign's Day}}</ref>

===The Crown and Honours===

Within the Commonwealth realms, the monarch is deemed the [[fount of honour]].<ref>{{citation|title=Commonwealth Journal: The Journal of the Royal Commonwealth Society · Volumes 12–14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=inArAQAAMAAJ|pages=99|year=1969|publisher=Royal Commonwealth Society}}</ref> Similarly, the monarch, as Sovereign of Belize, confers awards and honours in Belize in his name. Most of them are often awarded on the advice of "His Majesty's Belize Ministers".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=58736 |date=14 June 2008 |pages=43–44 |supp=8}}</ref><ref>{{londongazette|issue=60735|page=53|supp=y|date=31 December 2013}}</ref> Investitures are conducted by the governor-general on behalf of the sovereign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/belizeans-appointed-to-the-order-of-the-british-empire/|date=9 November 2022|title=Belizeans Appointed to the Order of the British Empire|work=Government of Belize Press Office}}</ref>

Through the passage of the ''National Honours and Awards Act'', Belize established three national orders on 16 August 1991: the [[Order of Belize]], the [[Order of Distinction (Belize)|Order of Distinction]], and the [[Order of the National Hero (Belize)|Order of the National Hero]]. The monarch's representative, the governor-general serves as chancellor of all these orders.<ref>{{citation|page=882|title=World Orders of Knighthood and Merit: Volume 1|year=2006|publisher=Burke's Peerage & Gentry|isbn=9780971196674 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JTkYAQAAMAAJ}}</ref>

===The Crown and the Defence Force===
{{multiple image
| align    = right
| total_width = 220
| image1   = Belize-Army-OF-5.svg
| image2   = Belize-Army-OF-4.svg
| image3   = Belize-Army-OF-3.svg
| footer   = The rank insignia of a Belizean Colonel (left), Lieutenant-Colonel (centre), and Major (right) of the Belize Defence Force featuring the St Edward's Crown
}}
The Crown sits at the pinnacle of the [[Belize Defence Force]]. The monarch is the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the entire Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2018/02/02/belize-defence-force-welcomes-new-commander-40th-anniversary/|title=Belize Defence Force welcomes new commander on its 40th anniversary|access-date=23 December 2021|work=The San Pedro Sun|date=2 February 2018}}</ref> The [[Crown of St. Edward]] appears on Belize Defence Force badges and rank insignia, which illustrates the monarchy as the locus of authority.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=2451|title=Belize Defence Force|encyclopedia=The International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia|access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref>

Under the Belizean ''Defence Act'', every member of the Belize Defence Force must swear allegiance to the monarch of Belize, on taking office. The current oath is:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/61155/66307/F-315392783/BLZ61155.pdf|title=Defence Act|access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"I, ''(name)'', do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord the King and to His constitutionally Elected Government in Belize and that I will faithfully serve His Majesty in the Belize Defence Force until lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed, and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and defend and protect all His Majesty's subjects and territory in Belize and cause His Majesty's peace to be kept and maintained and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service faithfully discharge my duties according to law."}}

===The Crown and the Police Force===
[[File:Belize Police Department badge.svg|thumb|The badge of the [[Belize Police Department]] featuring the Crown]]
Every member of the [[Belize Police Department]] has to swear allegiance to the monarch of Belize, on taking office. Under the Police Act of Belize, every police officer must make the following declaration on joining the Department:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/programs/aj/police/legislation/belize/police_act.pdf |title=Police Act|access-date=22 January 2022}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"I, ''(name)'', do solemnly and sincerely declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty, King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully serve His Majesty the King, His Heirs and Successors, during my service in the Department and will obey all orders of the Governor-General and of the officers placed over me, and will subject myself to all Acts, Orders and Regulations, from time to time in force, relating to the Department."}}

All riot proclamations are also issued in the monarch's name and end with the phrase "God Save the King".<ref>[https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/240665 God Save the King] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220914075331/https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/240665 archived]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap101.pdf |title=Belize Criminal Code Chapter 101 |publisher=Belizelaw.org |access-date=24 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224005748/http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap101.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2012  }}</ref>

[[St Edward's Crown]] is used on the badge of the [[Belize Police Department]], and is incorporated into the rank insignias for commissioner, senior superintendent, and superintendent.<ref name=polrsig>{{cite web|url=http://www.belizepolice.bz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=283|title=Rank Insignia|work=The Belize Police Department|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408154459/http://www.belizepolice.bz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=283|archive-date=8 April 2019}}</ref>

===Royal symbols===
[[File:BLZ001.JPG|thumb|A Belizean 50-cent coin with an effigy of Elizabeth II on the obverse]]
The main symbol of the Belizean monarchy is the sovereign himself. Thus, framed portraits of him are displayed in public buildings and government offices. Many Belizeans also keep portraits of the royal family in their homes.<ref>{{citation|page=68|title=Creole and Dialect Continua Standard Acquisition Processes in Belize and China (PRC)|year=1997|isbn=9789027275868|author=Geneviève Escure|publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Company}}</ref> Queen Elizabeth II appeared on some commemorative Belizean stamps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/66519|access-date=23 January 2022|title=All Hail the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Stamps|work=edition.channel5belize.com}}</ref> Her crowned effigy is prominently featured on Belizean coins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.centralbank.org.bz/home/core-functions/currency/coins|work=Central Bank of Belize|title=Coins|access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref> All banknotes of the [[Belize dollar]] featured the Queen's portrait until the introduction of a new series in 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/24/belize-queen-elizabeth-dollar-bills|work=The Guardian|title=Belize removes Queen Elizabeth’s image on banknotes as ‘step in decolonisation’|date=24 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=68|title=Belize in Pictures|year=2009|isbn=9781575059587|publisher=Twenty-First Century Books|author=Thomas Streissguth}}</ref>

A crown is also used to illustrate the monarchy as the locus of authority, appearing on police force, postal workers, prison officers, and Belize Defence Force regimental and maritime badges and rank insignia.

''[[God Save the King]]'' is the royal anthem of Belize.<ref>{{citation|page=79|title=The World Factbook|year=2012|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|isbn=9780160911422 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAv6-0rGsW8C}}</ref>

Under the Belizean [[Oath of Citizenship]], new Belizean citizens have to take a pledge of allegiance to the monarch of Belize, and his heirs and successors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belizelaw.org/web/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap161.pdf|access-date=23 January 2022|work=belizelaw.org|title=Belizean Nationality Act}}</ref>

===Royal visits===
{{External media |float=right|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-nyin7Dlo A Look Back At Past Royal Visits] <br>Source: ''[[Great Belize Television|Channel 5 Belize]]''.}}

====20th century====
[[Princess Margaret]] visited Belize in 1958.<ref name=royvbz/> The [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] visited in 1962.<ref>{{citation|page=595|title=The Illustrated London News: Volume 240|year=1962|publisher=Illustrated London News & Sketch Limited|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ni5Y0dcrN6kC}}</ref> [[Prince Michael of Kent]] represented the Queen at the independence celebrations in September 1981.<ref name="The Prince"/>

[[Elizabeth II]], Queen of Belize, visited the country in October 1985. She was welcomed by the mayor and given the key to Belize City. She spent the night in Government House before flying to Dangriga the following day where she watched a Junkanoo Dance by children and received a painting from the people of the Stann Creek District. She also met British Servicemen and women stationed in Belize.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120229041359/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandBelize2/RoyalVisits.aspx Royal visits]</ref> During the visit, the Queen was served the famous [[gibnut]] during an official dinner. The next day, the British press in London ran headlines: "Queen Eats Rat in Belize". Ever since, the gibnut has often been referred to as "The Royal Rat", or "The Queen's Rat" in Belize.<ref>{{citation|page=104|title=The Effects of Globalization in Latin America, Africa, and Asia: A Global South Perspective|publisher=Lexington Books|author=Kema Irogbe|year=2014|isbn=9780739187708}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=96|title=Belize|year=2003|publisher=APA Publications|isbn=9789812349361 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-rDB1iuKD4C}}</ref>
{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Belize is the only one of my eighteen realms that I have not visited before and I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time.<ref>{{citation|page=4|title=The New Belize: Volumes 14–15|year=1984 |publisher=Government Information Service|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gcFqAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Elizabeth II of Belize]], 1985}}
The Duke of Edinburgh returned in 1988 for a solo visit in his capacity as President of the World Wide Fund for Nature.<ref name=royvbz>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/belize?ch=2#bio-section-1|access-date=14 January 2022|title=Royal visits|work=Royal.uk}}</ref>

The Queen visited again in 1994. On her arrival at the airport in Belize City, she was greeted by 90% of the city's population. The Queen also visited the towns of San Ignacio, Punta Gorda, and Cahal Pech, one of Belize's many Mayan archaeological sites. The Queen attended a special sitting of the National Assembly, where she addressed the body for the first time and spoke of Belize's "robust democracy". The Queen also noted in her speech that this was the first occasion in which she had been welcomed by a song both written and performed by a governor-general.<ref name=rvb/><ref name=royvbz/>

====21st century====
{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=left|fontsize=88%| quote=I bring to you warmest greetings from The Queen of Belize, whose Diamond Jubilee we are celebrating here tonight. Her Majesty has asked me to send her good wishes to you all. She remembers so fondly her visits to this beautiful realm and speaks of the warmth of welcome she received on her most recent visit in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|title=A speech by Prince Harry at a Diamond Jubilee street naming ceremony in Belize|website=The Royal Family |access-date=13 October 2021|date=3 March 2012|url=https://www.royal.uk/speech-prince-harry-diamond-jubilee-street-naming-ceremony-belize}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Prince Henry of Wales]], 2012}}

[[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]] visited Belize in April 2001. The Princess visited the National Assembly of Belize at Belmopan, and the Belize Defence Force, Price Barracks, Ladyville, Belize City. During her visit, The Princess also visited San Lazaro Village Roman Catholic Primary School at Orange Walk, the Mennonite Community at Blue Creek Village, the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Marla's House of Hope, NOPCA Saves – Children's Home (National Organisation for the Prevention of Child Abuse), Belize Zoo, and the Commonwealth War Graves at Lord's Ridge Cemetery at Belize City.<ref>{{cite web|work=Royal.uk|access-date=22 January 2022|url=https://www.royal.uk/archive/200104?page=6|title=April 2001}}</ref>

In 2012, [[Prince Harry]] visited on the Queen's behalf to mark [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II|her Diamond Jubilee]]. During his visit, the Prince visited the remains of the ancient Mayan city of Xunantunich, launched a canoe named in honour of the Queen, and attended officially naming of the 'Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard' in Belmopan.<ref name=royvbz/>

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=I am honoured to convey the very warmest wishes from my grandmother, The Queen of Belize, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. She always speaks so fondly of her visits to Belize, which of course included a memorable stop here at Cahal Pech in 1994. And she may have mentioned something about a gibnut.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/gallery/20220322136053/kate-middleton-prince-william-arrive-jamaica-best-photos/7/| title=Prince William and Kate arrive in Jamaica for royal tour amid protests – best photos| access-date=23 March 2022| work=HELLO!}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|The Duke of Cambridge]], 2022}}

The [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Duke]] and [[Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge|Duchess of Cambridge]] visited in March 2022 on the occasion of the [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Queen's Platinum Jubilee]]. During their visit, the couple visited Mayan sites, explored Belize's Maya chocolate making, and celebrated the culture of the Garifuna community in Hopkins. The Duke and Duchess also learned about the restoration efforts of Belize's barrier reef being led by communities across the country,<ref>[https://www.royal.uk/duke-and-duchess-cambridge-visit-belize-jamaica-and-bahamas The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas] ''Royal.uk''</ref> and scuba-dived to learn more about the second-largest barrier reef in the world.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/kate-william-go-diving-in-belize-caribbean-tour-duke-duchess-cambridge-b989832.html Duke and Duchess of Cambridge swim with sharks as Royal couple go diving in Belize]</ref> At the reception hosted by Governor-General [[Dame Froyla Tzalam]] in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the Duke said, "Now we know why Belize is so lovingly referred to as the Jewel. We hope to return again soon and to show our children this wonderful country. They are rather jealous that they're not here with us now".<ref>{{cite web|title=It's A Wrap for the Royals!|access-date=23 March 2022|date=22 March 2022|url=http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=61423|work=7 News Belize}}</ref> A visit to a [[Maya civilization|Maya]] village in southern Belize was also planned, but was cancelled due to local protests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/royal-couple-starts-caribbean-tour-dogged-by-protest-in-belize-1.5826253 | title=Royal couple starts Caribbean tour dogged by protest in Belize | date=19 March 2022 }}</ref>

==Debate==
In March 2022, the government of Belize set up the People's Constitutional Commission to review the laws of Belize, including the constitution, as well as the way the country is governed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Belize moving towards republicanism? |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/belize-moving-towards-republicanism |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Loop News |language=en}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Johnny Briceño]] has said that he will bring about a referendum on the commission's broad recommendations, which are due in 2024.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=Belize signals intention to remove Queen as head of state following royal visit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/world/belize-queen-caribbean-head-of-state-b2044585.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2023, Briceño suggested that it was "quite likely" that Belize would be the next [[Commonwealth realm]] to become a republic.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laughland |first=Oliver |date=2023-05-04 |title=Belize likely to become republic, says PM as he criticises Rishi Sunak |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/04/belize-likely-to-become-republic-says-pm-johnny-briceno-as-he-criticises-rishi-sunak |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Briceño did not say if he would introduce a bill for a referendum on becoming a republic, which would need parliamentary approval.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-04 |title=Belize PM signals possible break with British monarchy, the Guardian reports |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/belize-pm-signals-possible-break-with-british-monarchy-guardian-2023-05-04/ |access-date=2023-06-10}}</ref>

An opinion poll conducted in February and March 2023 found that 48 per cent of respondents supported the continuation of Belize's monarchy, against 43 per cent who supported a republic. Seventy one per cent of those who stated they preferred to keep the Crown said the monarchy was a "good thing" for the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polls (LordAshcroftPolls.com) |first=Lord Ashcroft |title=LORD ASHCROFT CORONATION POLL FINDS BELIZE WOULD VOTE TO KEEP MONARCHY |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lord-ashcroft-coronation-poll-finds-belize-would-vote-to-keep-monarchy-829983141.html |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

==List of Belizean monarchs==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="width:20%;"| Regnal name<br /><small>(Birth–Death)</small>
! colspan=2   | Reign over Belize
! rowspan="2" | Full name
! rowspan="2" | Consort
! rowspan="2" | House
|-
!Start
!End
|- style="background:#eee;"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Queen Elizabeth II in March 2015.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Elizabeth II]]'''<br /><small>(1926–2022)</small>
|21 September 1981
|8 September 2022
|Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
|[[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Philip Mountbatten]]
|[[House of Windsor|Windsor]]
|-
| colspan="5" |<u>Governors-general:</u> [[Elmira Minita Gordon|Dame Elmira Minita Gordon]], [[Colville Young|Sir Colville Young]], [[Froyla Tzalam|Dame Froyla Tzalam]]<br /><u>Prime ministers:</u> [[George Cadle Price]], [[Manuel Esquivel|Sir Manuel Esquivel]], [[Said Musa]], [[Dean Barrow]], [[Johnny Briceño]]
|-
|- style="background:#eee;"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |[[File:King Charles III (July 2023).jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Charles III]]'''<br /><small>(b. 1948)</small>
|8 September 2022
|''present''
|Charles Phillip Arthur George
|[[Queen Camilla|Camilla Shand]]
|[[House of Windsor|Windsor]]
|-
| colspan="5" |<u>Governors-general:</u> [[Froyla Tzalam|Dame Froyla Tzalam]]<br /><u>Prime ministers:</u> [[Johnny Briceño]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Belize|Monarchy}}
	
* [[Lists of office-holders]]
* [[List of prime ministers of Elizabeth II]]
* [[List of prime ministers of Charles III]]
* [[List of Commonwealth visits made by Elizabeth II]]
* [[Monarchies in the Americas]]
* [[List of monarchies]]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.royal.uk/belize/ Belize] at The Royal Family website
* [https://archive.today/20070712194912/http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/exec_govgeneral.html Government of Belize: Governor-General of Belize]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110720103800/http://www.belize.gov.bz/public/Attachment/98202443271.pdf Constitution of Belize]

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