View source for Monarchy of Tuvalu

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox monarchy
| royal_title        = King
| realm              = Tuvalu
| coatofarms         = Coat of arms of Tuvalu.svg
| coatofarms_article = Coat of arms of Tuvalu
| 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               = 1 October 1978
}}
{{Politics of Tuvalu}}

The '''monarchy of Tuvalu''' is a system of government in which a hereditary [[monarch]] is the sovereign and [[head of state]] of [[Tuvalu]]. The current Tuvaluan monarch and head of state, since 8 September 2022, is King [[Charles III]]. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Tuvaluan Crown. Although the person of the sovereign is equally 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 Tuvalu'' and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions domestically and abroad as representatives of the Tuvaluan state. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.

All [[Executive (government)|executive]] [[authority]] is vested in the monarch, and [[royal assent]] is required for the [[Tuvaluan Parliament]] 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, the ministers of [[the Crown]] generally drawn from amongst them, and the [[Law_of_Tuvalu#Judiciary|judges and justices of the peace]]. Other powers vested in the monarch, such as dismissal of a prime minister, are significant but are treated only as [[reserve power]]s and as an important security part of the role of the monarchy.

The sovereign is recognised in the [[Constitution of Tuvalu]] as a symbol of the unity and identity of Tuvalu. The Crown 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 Tuvalu|governor-general of Tuvalu]].

==Origin==
[[File:Stamp Gilbert Ellice Islands 1939 3p.jpg|thumb|left|A 1939 Gilbert and Ellice Islands stamp featuring King [[George VI]]]]

The islands were first discovered by Europeans in the 16th century, but it was not until the 1820s, that they were well known. With imperial expansion the group, then known as the Ellice Islands, became a British protectorate in 1892 and were administered as part of the [[British Western Pacific Territories]] (BWPT) until 1916, by a [[Resident Commissioner]] based in the Gilbert Islands. The administration of the BWTP ended in 1916, and the [[Gilbert and Ellice Islands]] Colony was established, which existed until October 1976. In 1974, the ministerial government was introduced to the [[Gilbert and Ellice Islands]] Colony through a change to the Constitution.<ref name=brittuv>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Tuvalu|encyclopedia=Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Tuvalu|access-date=27 April 2023|archive-date=20 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320101326/https://www.britannica.com/place/Tuvalu|url-status=live}}</ref>

From the 1960s, racial tension and rivalries over employment emerged between Gilbertese and Ellice Islanders. Ellice Islanders' demands for secession resulted in a [[1974 Ellice Islands self-determination referendum|referendum in 1974]], which led to the separation of the Gilbert Islands and the Ellice Islands.<ref name=brittuv/> The Ellice Islands were renamed as "Tuvalu", by the Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975 and recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government.<ref name="PIM175-5">{{cite web | last=  | first=  | work= 46(5) Pacific Islands Monthly | title= Ellice goes it alone on October 1 | date= 1 May 1975 | url= https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-334718231/view?sectionId=nla.obj-338653913&partId=nla.obj-334743035#page/n88/mode/1up | accessdate= 2 October 2021 | archive-date= 2 October 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211002100604/https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-334718231/view?sectionId=nla.obj-338653913&partId=nla.obj-334743035#page/n88/mode/1up | url-status= live }}</ref> On 1 January 1976, separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.<ref name="TAHTito">{{cite book |author=Tito Isala |editor-first1=Hugh |editor-last1=Laracy |title=Tuvalu: A History |year=1983 |publisher=University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu |page=169 |chapter=Chapter 20, Secession and Independence}}</ref><ref name="TPBN">{{cite journal |first=W. David |last=McIntyre |title=The Partition of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands |url=http://www.islandstudies.ca/sites/islandstudies.ca/files/ISJ-7-1-2012-McIntyre.pdf |year=2012 |volume=7 |issue=1 |journal=Island Studies Journal |pages=135–146 |doi=10.24043/isj.266 |s2cid=130336446 |access-date=4 December 2021 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202095641/https://www.islandstudies.ca/sites/islandstudies.ca/files/ISJ-7-1-2012-McIntyre.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Princess Margaret Hospital, Tuvalu.jpg|thumb|[[Princess Margaret Hospital, Funafuti]], the only hospital in the country, is named after [[Princess Margaret]], who officially opened the building in September 1978.]]

Tuvalu achieved full independence in 1978 as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth, with [[Elizabeth II]] as Queen of Tuvalu. The independence constitution provided that Queen Elizabeth II was, at the "request of the people of Tuvalu", the sovereign and head of state of the country.<ref>{{citation| url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/3899/95791/F656430737/TUV3899.pdf| title=Constitution of Tuvalu| page=43| year=1978| access-date=30 November 2022| archive-date=10 December 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210020533/http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/3899/95791/F656430737/TUV3899.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Princess Margaret]] arrived in September 1978 to represent the Queen at the independence celebrations. Her visit was cut short, however, as she was suffering from viral pneumonia; her Private Secretary, [[Nigel Napier, 14th Lord Napier|Lord Napier]], had to take her place at the ceremony. On independence day, 1 October, Lord Napier handed over the instruments of independence to the new Governor-General and read out the Princess's speech, while the Queen's Commissioner, Tom Layng, read the Queen's message to the people of Tuvalu.<ref name=margo>{{citation|title=Winding Up the British Empire in the Pacific Islands|year=2016|isbn=9780192513618|author=W. David McIntyre|publisher=OUP Oxford}}</ref>

==The Tuvaluan Crown and its aspects==
{{multiple image
| align    = left
| total_width = 260
| image1   = Tuvalu $0,10 (A).jpg
| image2   = Tuvalu $0,10 (B).jpg
| footer   = Queen Elizabeth II of Tuvalu on the obverse of a 1985 Tuvaluan 10-cent coin
}}

Tuvalu is one of 15 independent nations, known as [[Commonwealth realm]]s, which shares its sovereign with other monarchies in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], with the monarch's relationship with Tuvalu completely independent from his position as monarch of any other realm; despite sharing the same person as their respective monarch, each of the Commonwealth realms, including Tuvalu, is sovereign and independent of the others. The Tuvaluan monarch is represented in the country by a [[viceroy]], the governor-general of Tuvalu.<ref name=rybs>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120229041522/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/TheQueensRoleinTuvalu.aspx The Queen's role in Tuvalu]</ref>

Since Tuvaluan independence in 1978, the pan-national Crown has had both a shared and a separate character and the sovereign's role as monarch of Tuvalu is distinct to his or her position as monarch of any other realm, including the United Kingdom.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120229033636/https://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/Overview.aspx Queen and Tuvalu]</ref> The monarchy thus ceased to be an exclusively British institution and in Tuvalu became a Tuvaluan, or "domesticated" establishment.<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=978-1-55488-980-8|publisher=Dundurn|author=Nathan Tidridge}}</ref>

This division is illustrated in a number of ways: The sovereign, for example, holds [[#Title|a unique Tuvaluan title]] and, when he is acting in public specifically as a representative of Tuvalu, uses, where possible, Tuvaluan symbols, including the country's [[Flag of Tuvalu|national flag]], unique royal symbols, and the like. Also, only Tuvaluan [[Minister (government)|government ministers]] can advise the sovereign on matters of the country.<ref name=rybs/>

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Tuvalu and the peoples of these islands hold a very special place in the Queen's heart. Her Majesty well remembers the warmth of the traditional Tuvaluan welcome she and the Duke of Edinburgh received on the occasion of her last visit to her people in 1982. Indeed the whole world remembers the reception you gave Her Majesty back then it is one of the iconic images of her reign.<ref>{{cite news|title=William speaks of Queen's 'deep love' for Tuvalu|date=18 September 2012|url=https://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-09-18/william-speaks-of-queens-deep-love-for-tuvalu/|work=ITV News}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge]], 2012}}

In Tuvalu, the legal personality of the [[Sovereign state|state]] is referred to as ''the Crown in Right of Tuvalu''.<ref>{{citation|page=3830|title=Statutory Instruments|date=27 September 1978 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|isbn=9780118401746 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufxQAQAAMAAJ|access-date=22 March 2023|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164802/https://books.google.com/books?id=ufxQAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Exchange Control Act|url=https://www.tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1981/1981-0011/ExchangeControlAct_1.pdf|access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref>

===Title===
The ''Royal Style and Title Act 1987'', passed by the Tuvaluan Parliament, granted separate style and titles to Queen [[Elizabeth II]] for use in relation to Tuvalu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1987/1987-0001/RoyalStyleandTitlesAct_1.pdf|access-date=6 October 2021|title=ROYAL STYLE AND TITLES ACT|archive-date=5 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005074032/http://www.tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1987/1987-0001/RoyalStyleandTitlesAct_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Thereafter, the Queen's official Tuvaluan style and titles became: ''Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Tuvalu and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth''.<ref name=EIItitle>{{cite web| title= The Queen and Tuvalu (style and title)| publisher= Official website of the British Monarchy| url= http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/Overview.aspx| access-date= 4 April 2014| archive-date= 7 April 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140407064003/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/Overview.aspx| url-status= live}}</ref> Since the accession of King [[Charles III]], the monarch's title is: ''Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Tuvalu and of His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth''.

This style communicates Tuvalu's status as an independent monarchy, highlighting the monarch's role specifically as sovereign of Tuvalu, as well as the shared aspect of the Crown throughout the [[Head of the Commonwealth|Commonwealth]]. Typically, the sovereign is styled "King of Tuvalu", and is addressed as such when in Tuvalu, or performing duties on behalf of Tuvalu abroad.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120229033636/https://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/Overview.aspx Queen and Tuvalu]</ref>

===Succession===
{{Further|Succession to the British throne}}
[[File:Prince of Wales in Normandy 2024.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|[[William, Prince of Wales]], is the current heir apparent to the Tuvaluan throne]]

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|Act of Settlement, 1701]] and the [[Bill of Rights 1689|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 Tuvalu, still lie within the control of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British Parliament]], both the United Kingdom and Tuvalu 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>{{citation|year=2006|author=Blackburn, Robert|title=King and Country: Monarchy and the Future King Charles III|page=126}}</ref>
[[File:World Leaders - Book of Condolence for HM The Queen (52363934014).jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Kausea Natano]] signing the book of condolences in memory of Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House, 17 September 2022]]

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 publicly proclaimed by the governor-general in the capital, Funafuti, 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. A state memorial service is likely to be held to commemorate the late monarch.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Tuvalu Ministry of Foreign Affairs |user=Tuvalu_MJCFA |number=1571432398159749120 |title=Tuvalu Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter |language=English |access-date=2 October 2022 }}</ref>

==Personification of the state==
{{Rquote|right|"I, ''(name)'', do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Sovereign of Tuvalu. (So help me God)"|Oath of Allegiance in Tuvalu<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=125}}</ref>|width=25em}}

Section 51 of the [[Constitution of Tuvalu]], which states that the [[List of heads of state of Tuvalu|head of state]] is recognised as a symbol of the unity and identity of Tuvalu.<ref>{{citation|title= Constitution of Tuvalu|author=Tuvalu |publisher= Government of Tuvalu|page=51|year=2023|url= https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf | accessdate=27 November 2023}}</ref> The functions of the head of state are set out in sections 52 and 53 of the Constitution.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=49-50}}</ref>

The sovereign is the locus of oaths of allegiance, required of many employees of the Crown, as well as by new citizens, as per the [[Citizenship Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4fbf81732.pdf|title=Citizenship Act|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216181451/https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4fbf81732.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This is done in [[reciprocity (social and political philosophy)|reciprocation]] to the sovereign's [[Coronation]] Oath, wherein they promise to govern the peoples of their realms, "according to their respective laws and customs".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oremus.org/liturgy/coronation/cor1953b.html|title=The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II|access-date=3 December 2022|archive-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007112304/http://www.oremus.org/liturgy/coronation/cor1953b.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |title=Coronation order of service in full |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=6 May 2023 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>

==Constitutional role and royal prerogative==
[[File:Flag of the Governor-General of Tuvalu.svg|thumb|The flag of the Tuvaluan governor-general featuring [[St Edward's Crown]]]]

The [[constitution of Tuvalu]] gives the country a parliamentary system of government under a constitutional monarchy, wherein the role of the monarch and governor-general is both legal and practical, but not political. The Crown is regarded as a corporation, in which several parts share the authority of the whole, with the sovereign as the person at the centre of the constitutional construct,<ref name=Murdoch>{{Cite web |url=http://www.murdoch.edu.au/elaw/issues/v9n3/cox93.html |title=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) |access-date=3 December 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626163652/http://www.murdoch.edu.au/elaw/issues/v9n3/cox93.html |url-status=live }}</ref> meaning all powers of state are constitutionally reposed in the sovereign. The government of Tuvalu is also thus formally referred to as ''[[His Majesty's Government (term)|His Majesty's Government]]''.<ref>{{citation|page=3830|title=Statutory Instruments|date=27 September 1978 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|isbn=9780118401746 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufxQAQAAMAAJ|access-date=22 March 2023|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164802/https://books.google.com/books?id=ufxQAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tuvalu.tradeportal.org/media/CustomsRevenueandBorderProtectionAct2014_1.pdf|title=Customs Revenue and Border Protection Act 2014|page=127|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107152925/https://tuvalu.tradeportal.org/media/CustomsRevenueandBorderProtectionAct2014_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Most of the monarch's domestic duties are performed by the governor-general, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|prime minister of Tuvalu]].<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=51-52}}</ref>

===Executive===

Part V, section 62 of the [[Constitution of Tuvalu]] describes the vesting of the executive authority:<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=54}}</ref>
:(1) The executive authority of Tuvalu is primarily vested in the Sovereign, and the Governor-General as the representative of the Sovereign.
:(2) The executive authority so vested in the Sovereign shall be exercised in accordance with section 53 (performance of functions by the Head of State).

The [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|prime minister]], who heads the [[Cabinet of Tuvalu]], is responsible for [[Advice (constitutional)|advising the monarch or governor-general]] on how to execute their executive powers over all aspects of government operations and foreign affairs. The monarch's, 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, while the Cabinet directs the use of the royal prerogative, which includes the privilege to declare war and maintain the [[Peace (law)|King's peace]], as well as to [[Parliamentary session|summon and prorogue parliament]] and [[Dropping the writ|call elections]].<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=81-82}}</ref> However, it is important to note that the royal prerogative belongs to the Crown and not to any of the ministers; though, it might have sometimes appeared that way,<ref name=Murdoch/> and the constitution allows the governor-general to unilaterally use these powers in relation to the dismissal of a prime minister, dissolution of parliament, and removal of a judge in exceptional, [[constitutional crisis]] situations.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=56-57}}</ref> There are also a few duties which are specifically performed by the monarch, such as appointing the governor-general.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=51}}</ref>

The prime minister is elected by the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]] in accordance with section 64 of the constitution,<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=50}}</ref> with the governor-general calling a meeting of parliament to elect a new prime minister after each general election and in the event of a vacancy.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=109-112}}</ref> The governor-general appoints a Cabinet at the direction of the prime minister.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=60-61}}</ref> The monarch is informed by his viceroy of the acceptance of the resignation of a prime minister and the swearing-in of a new prime minister and other members of the ministry, and he remains fully briefed through regular communications from his Tuvaluan ministers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120229041522/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/TheQueensRoleinTuvalu.aspx The Queen's Role in Tuvalu]</ref> Members of various executive agencies and other officials, such as [[High Court of Tuvalu|High Court]] justices, are also appointed by the Crown.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=83-84}}</ref>

{{See also|Governor-General of Tuvalu#Exercise of reserve powers}}

===Foreign affairs===
[[File:11.01 總統抵達抵達吐瓦，總督伊塔雷理（Iakoba Taeia Italeli）陪同蔡總統接受警察儀隊致敬 (24241833788).jpg|thumb|Governor-General [[Iakoba Italeli]] with President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] of Taiwan, 2017]]

The royal prerogative further extends to foreign affairs: the governor-general ratifies treaties, alliances, and international agreements. As with other uses of the royal prerogative, no parliamentary approval is required. However, a treaty cannot alter the domestic laws of Tuvalu; an act of Parliament is necessary in such cases. The governor-general, on behalf of the monarch, also accredits Tuvaluan [[high commissioner]]s and ambassadors and receives diplomats from foreign states. In addition, the issuance of passports falls under the royal prerogative and, as such, all Tuvaluan passports are issued in the name of the monarch. The first page of a Tuvaluan passport reads:<ref>{{citation|url=http://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1979/1979-0001/PassportsAct_1.pdf|title=PASSPORTS ACT|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022215224/http://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1979/1979-0001/PassportsAct_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"The Governor-General of Tuvalu hereby requests and requires in the name of His Majesty King Charles the Third all those whom it may concern to allow the holder of this passport to pass freely, without hindrance or delay, and in case of need to give the holder all lawful aid and protection. The holder of this passport has the right to enter and reside in Tuvalu."}}

===Parliament===
[[File:Government office building.jpg|thumb|Parliament of Tuvalu]]

The governor-general is responsible for summoning the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]], acting on the advice of cabinet. If the parliament does not meet at least twice within the year or within three months after a general election, the governor-general may recall parliament at the request of the speaker or a majority of its members.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=74}}</ref> The opening of a new parliamentary session is marked by the [[Speech from the Throne|Speech from the Governor-General]], which outlines the government's legislative agenda.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=30 November 2022|url=http://www.paclii.org/tv/Rules/parl_rules2003.html|title=Parliament of Tuvalu: Rules of Procedure|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203175455/http://www.paclii.org/tv/Rules/parl_rules2003.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The governor-general is also responsible for the [[prorogation]] of parliament, acting upon a resolution of parliament. Parliament is automatically dissolved four years after the first sitting of parliament after a general election. The governor-general may dissolve parliament at an earlier point if parliament so resolves, or otherwise "acting in his own deliberate judgment" if the office of prime minister is vacant and no successor has been elected within a reasonable period.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=74}}</ref> A general election follows dissolution, the [[Writ of election|writs for a general election]] are usually [[Dropping the writ|dropped by the governor-general]] at Government House, Funafuti.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

As all executive authority is vested in the sovereign, [[royal assent]] is required to allow for bills to become [[act of parliament|acts of parliament]]. Section 88 of the constitution requires the governor-general to "promptly assent" to the bill; there is no discretion to refuse assent.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=66}}</ref>

===Courts===
All justices of the [[High Court of Tuvalu]] are appointed by the governor-general.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=83-84}}</ref> The highest court of appeal for Tuvalu is the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council|Judicial Committee of the King's Privy Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Role of the JCPC |url=https://www.jcpc.uk/about/role-of-the-jcpc.html |website=JCPC |access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214201020/https://www.jcpc.uk/about/role-of-the-jcpc.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Tuvalu, 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 ''Rex [or Regina] versus [Name]'' (''rex/regina'' being Latin for ''king/queen'').<ref>{{cite web|title=MAGISTRATES' COURTS (FORMS) RULES|url=https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/1965/1965-0011/MagistratesCourtsFormsRules_1.pdf|access-date=6 October 2021|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006095419/https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/1965/1965-0011/MagistratesCourtsFormsRules_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/tv/cases/TVHC/2008/3.html|title=Regina v Setaga|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326043914/http://www.paclii.org/tv/cases/TVHC/2008/3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hence, common law holds that the sovereign "can do no wrong"; 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>

The sovereign, and by extension the governor-general, can also grant immunity from prosecution, exercise the [[royal prerogative of mercy]], and pardon offences against the Crown, either before, during, or after a trial. The exercise of the power of mercy to grant a pardon and the commutation of prison sentences is described in section 82 of the constitution.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=63-64}}</ref>

==Cultural role==
<gallery class="center" widths="200px" caption="The Queen's 90th birthday parade in Tuvalu, 2016">
File:Tuvalu 2016 Queen's Birthday (1).jpg
File:Tuvalu 2016 Queen's Birthday (3).jpg
File:Tuvalu 2016 Queen's Birthday (2).jpg
</gallery>

The [[King's Official Birthday]] is a public holiday in Tuvalu. It is usually celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year.<ref>{{citation|page=388|title=The Commonwealth Yearbook 2006|year=2006|publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat|isbn=978-0-9549629-4-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1937/1937-0005/PublicHolidays_1.pdf|title=PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ACT|access-date=7 October 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007181250/http://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1937/1937-0005/PublicHolidays_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Tuvaluans celebrate it with church services and prayers, singing ''[[God Save The King]]'' and ''[[Tuvalu mo te Atua]]'', flag hoisting, public speeches, a royal salute, and a parade. As the King's Birthday is a public holiday, all government offices, educational institutions, and most businesses are closed for the day.<ref name=KMT>{{cite web|title=TUVALU COMMEMORATES 2018'S QUEEN BIRTHDAY|access-date=6 October 2021|url=https://kmt.news/2018/06/28/tuvalu-commemorates-2018s-queen-birthday/|work=KMT News|date=28 June 2018|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007181242/https://kmt.news/2018/06/28/tuvalu-commemorates-2018s-queen-birthday/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/127|access-date=7 October 2021|title=Queen's Official Birthday in Tuvalu|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007181240/https://anydayguide.com/calendar/127|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Update|section|date=June 2025}}
Tuvaluans also celebrated the birthday of the former Prince of Wales (now King Charles III). Heir to the Throne Day was a public holiday in November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/tuvalu|title=Tuvalu|work=royal.uk|date=24 November 2015|access-date=7 October 2021|archive-date=2 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602093733/https://www.royal.uk/tuvalu|url-status=live}}</ref>

===The Crown and Honours===
[[File:Tuvalu Order of Merit.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|The insignia of the [[Tuvalu Order of Merit]] with [[St Edward's Crown]]]]

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 Tuvalu, confers awards and honours in Tuvalu in his name. Most of them are often awarded on the advice of "His Majesty's Tuvalu Ministers".<ref>{{londongazette|issue=61967|page=B58|supp=6|date=17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|date=31 December 2014 |supp=y |issue=61096|page=N53}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue= 61455 |date=30 December 2015 |page=N58 |supp=y}}</ref>

Investitures are conducted by the governor-general on behalf of the sovereign.

===The Crown and the Police Force===
[[File:Tuvalu Police Force emblem.svg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|The emblem of the [[Tuvalu Police Force]] featuring [[St Edward's Crown]]]]

The [[Tuvalu Police Force]]'s patrol vessels bear the prefix ''HMTSS'' (''His Majesty's Tuvalu Surveillance Ship'').<ref>{{citation|title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World|year=2002|publisher=Naval Institute Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ow-AQAAIAAJ|pages=848|isbn=978-1-55750-242-1|access-date=22 March 2023|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212432/https://books.google.com/books?id=_ow-AQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook|year=2002|publisher=Perth Corporation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7OI-AQAAIAAJ|pages=1754|isbn=978-1-892998-06-4 }}</ref> A [[St. Edward's Crown]] appears on the police force's badges and rank insignia, which illustrates the monarchy as the locus of authority.

Under Section 163(5) of the Constitution, the Commissioner of Police is appointed by the Head of State, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet given after consultation with the Public Service Commission.<ref>{{harvnb| Tuvalu| 2023| p=97-98}}</ref> Under the Police Act of Tuvalu, every member of the Tuvalu Police Force must, upon being enrolled, swear allegiance to the monarch of Tuvalu. The current oath is:<ref>{{citation|url=https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1965/1965-0003/PoliceAct_1.pdf|title=Police Act|access-date=6 October 2021|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006080743/https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1965/1965-0003/PoliceAct_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"I, [name], do swear by Almighty God (or solemnly and sincerely affirm) that I will well and truly 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 Tuvalu Police Force: that I will subject myself to all Acts, orders and regulations relating to the said Police now in force or which may from time to time be in force and will discharge all the duties of a police officer according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."}}

===Royal visits===

[[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], was the first member of the royal family to visit the islands in 1959. Prince [[Charles, Prince of Wales]], visited in October 1970, following his attendance at the Fiji independence celebrations.<ref>{{citation|page=226|title=Pacific Islands Year Book: Volume 11|year=1972|publisher=Pacific Publications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h0I9AAAAYAAJ}}</ref>

[[Princess Margaret]] arrived in September 1978 to represent the Queen at the independence celebrations, but her visit was cut short by illness.<ref name=margo/>

Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu, and the Duke of Edinburgh toured Tuvalu between 26 and 27 October 1982. The royal couple were carried around in ceremonial litters and later served with traditional local dishes on a banquet. They also installed the corner-stone of a future Parliament building.<ref name=rtour>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/tuvalu?ch=2#bio-section-1|title=Royal Visits to Tuvalu|work=royal.uk|date=9 November 2021|access-date=9 November 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109134734/https://www.royal.uk/tuvalu?ch=2#bio-section-1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="YT1982S">{{cite web| title= Slide show of Queen Elizabeth II & the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to Tuvalu in October, 1982.| publisher= YouTube (video)| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6sffSHzLbQ| access-date= 4 April 2014| archive-date= 15 July 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150715141456/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6sffSHzLbQ| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="YT1982V">{{cite web|title= 'Change in Tuvalu' – Royal Visit to Tuvalu by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II & The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip in October, 1982|publisher= YouTube (video)|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJAnAzVc69k|access-date= 4 April 2014|archive-date= 13 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140413041141/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJAnAzVc69k|url-status= live}}</ref> A sheet of commemorative stamps was issued for the royal visit by the [[Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau]].
{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=I have heard a great deal about Tuvalu from my family and I am only sorry I cannot visit other islands, but I understand all of them are represented here today. I am very glad that my first visit to your country should be as Queen of Tuvalu. I come also to you as Head of the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Visit to Tuvalu|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=6 October 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJAnAzVc69k|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813153607/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJAnAzVc69k|url-status=live}}</ref>|salign=right| source=[[Elizabeth II of Tuvalu]], 1982}}

In 2012, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Tuvalu to mark the [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Queen's Diamond Jubilee]]. They toured a number of places. Dressed in colourful grass skirts, they also took part in the [[Music of Tuvalu|traditional dancing]].<ref name=rtour/>

==Republic referendums==
{{Main|1986 Tuvaluan constitutional referendum|2008 Tuvaluan constitutional referendum}}
In February 1986, a nation-wide referendum was held to ask Tuvaluans whether Tuvalu should remain a constitutional monarchy, with the Queen as its head of state, or become a republic. Only one [[Atolls of Tuvalu|atoll]] favoured the republican proposal, while more than 90% voters favoured the retention of the monarchy.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=e5Az1lGCJwQC&dq=tuvalu+referendum+1986&pg=PA1113 Far East and Australasia 2003] Eur, p1113</ref>

In the first years of the 21st century there was a debate about the abolition of the monarchy. Prime Minister [[Saufatu Sopoanga]] had stated in 2004 that he was in favour of replacing the Queen as Tuvalu's head of state, a view supported by former Prime Ministers [[Ionatana Ionatana]] and [[Kamuta Latasi]]. Sopoanga stated that public opinion would be evaluated first before taking any further moves<ref>{{ cite news | last=Chapman | first=Paul | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/05/06/wmaori106.xml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040620130050/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2004%2F05%2F06%2Fwmaori106.xml | url-status=dead | archive-date=2004-06-20 | title=Tuvalu may ditch the Queen and declare a republic |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK | date=2004-05-06 | access-date=2006-06-30 }}</ref> and a referendum was held in 2008. The monarchy was retained, with 1,260 votes to 679 (64.98%).<ref>[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200806/s2276618.htm?tab=latest "Tuvalu votes to maintain monarchy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718205551/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2008-06-17/tuvalu-votes-to-maintain-monarchy/37058 |date=18 July 2012 }}, Radio Australia, 17 June 2008</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081228074532/http://www.tuvaluislands.com/news/archives/2008/2008-04-30.htm "Tuvaluans vote against republic]}}, Tuvalu News, 30 April 2008</ref>

=== Opinion polls ===
An opinion poll conducted in 2023 found 71% in favour of retaining the monarchy, while 26% preferred that Tuvalu became a republic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The monarchy: the view from the "Commonwealth realms" - Lord Ashcroft Polls |url=https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2023/05/the-monarchy-the-view-from-the-commonwealth-realms/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=lordashcroftpolls.com}}</ref>

==List of Tuvaluan 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 Tuvalu
! 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 official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Elizabeth II]]'''<br /><small>(1926–2022)</small>
|1 October 1978
|8 September 2022
|Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
|[[Philip Mountbatten]]
|[[House of Windsor|Windsor]]
|-
| colspan="5" |<u>Governors-general:</u> [[Fiatau Penitala Teo|Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo]], [[Tupua Leupena|Sir Tupua Leupena]], [[Toaripi Lauti|Sir Toaripi Lauti]], [[Tomu Sione|Sir Tomu Sione]], [[Tulaga Manuella|Sir Tulaga Manuella]], [[Tomasi Puapua|Sir Tomasi Puapua]], [[Faimalaga Luka]], [[Filoimea Telito|Sir Filoimea Telito]], [[Iakoba Italeli|Sir Iakoba Italeli]], [[Tofiga Vaevalu Falani|Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani]]<br /><u>Prime ministers:</u> [[Toaripi Lauti]], [[Tomasi Puapua]], [[Bikenibeu Paeniu]], [[Kamuta Latasi]], [[Ionatana Ionatana]], [[Faimalaga Luka]], [[Koloa Talake]], [[Saufatu Sopoanga]], [[Maatia Toafa]], [[Apisai Ielemia]], [[Willy Telavi]], [[Enele Sopoaga]], [[Kausea Natano]]
|- 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 Philip Arthur George
|[[Queen Camilla]]
|Windsor
|-
| colspan="5" |<u>Governors-general:</u> [[Tofiga Vaevalu Falani|Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani]]<br /><u>Prime ministers:</u> [[Kausea Natano]], [[Feleti Teo]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Monarchy|Tuvalu}}
* [[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 Oceania]]
* [[List of monarchies]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{url|https://www.royal.uk/tuvalu|Tuvalu}}, at the Royal Family website

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[[Category:Government of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Politics of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Commonwealth realms|Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Heads of state of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Tuvalu]]
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