Monarchy of Solomon Islands

The monarchy of Solomon Islands is a system of government in which a constitutional monarch is the head of state of Solomon Islands. The present monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, who is also the head of state of fifteen other Commonwealth realms.

This article is about the monarchy of Solomon Islands. For information on the other countries which share the same person as monarch, see Commonwealth realm.

Queen of Solomon Islands
Incumbent
Elizabeth II
Details
StyleHer Majesty
Heir apparentCharles, Prince of Wales
First monarchElizabeth II
Formation7 July 1978
Solomon Islands
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Solomon Islands

The Queen's constitutional roles in Solomon Islands are delegated to the Governor-General of Solomon Islands.

Constitutional role

The Commonwealth of Nations has over 50 member states, of which, sixteen are unofficially described as Commonwealth realms that recognise, individually, Elizabeth II as their monarch and therefore head of state; Solomon Islands is one of these. Each realm, including Solomon Islands, is a sovereign and independent state. Elizabeth II exercises her sovereignty only as Queen of Solomon Islands and on all matters relating to Solomon Islands, the monarch is advised solely by Solomon Islands ministers.[1]

The monarch of Solomon Islands is represented by the Governor-General of Solomon Islands, who is a citizen of Solomon Islands elected for a five-year term by the national parliament.[2] Formally, the monarch appoints the Governor-General on the advice of parliament. The current Governor-General is the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Melanesia and former Bishop of the Diocese of Central Melanesia, David Vunagi, who was first elected in 2019.[3] Governors-General must meet the same eligibility requirements as members of parliament and can serve no more than two terms.[4]

Stamp of the British Solomon Islands with portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, 1968

Solomon Islands gained self-government in 1976 following the independence of neighbouring Papua New Guinea from Australia in 1975. As a protectorate the Solomon Islands protectorate had never been under the sovereignty of the British monarch. It had never formed part of Her Majesty’s dominions. Under the Solomon Islands Act 1978 the territory was formally annexed to form part of Her Majesty’s dominons and granted independence. The new sovereign democratic state was established with the Queen as head of state. The new constitution, providing for fully responsible status within the Commonwealth, took effect under The Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978, an order in council which had been requested by the Legislative Assembly. It was made under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890, and came into operation on 7 July 1978.[5] Under the constitution the oath of allegiance is a declaration of allegiance to "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors".[6]

Duties

The monarch's duties are performed by the Governor-General. The Governor-General represents the monarch on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of parliament, the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the constitution, he or she is given authority to act in some matters, for example in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service, and in proroguing parliament.

As in the other Commonwealth realms, the monarch's role is almost entirely symbolic and cultural. The powers that are constitutionally hers are exercised almost wholly upon the advice of the cabinet, made up of Ministers of the Crown.

Members of the royal family occasionally visit Solomon Islands. The Queen has visited twice: in February 1974 (before independence) and in October 1982 (after the 1982 Commonwealth Games). Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied the Queen on both occasions, and also visited without the Queen, in 1959 and 1971. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips visited in 1974 and the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge visited in 2012.[1]

Succession

Succession to the throne in Solomon Islands is identical to the succession to the British throne. The heir apparent is Elizabeth II's eldest son, Charles.

No Commonwealth realm can alter the succession without the agreement of the other realms. Under the Statute of Westminster, Solomon Islands has a common monarchy with other states, and Solomon Islands cannot change the rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other realms, unless explicitly leaving the shared monarchy relationship by means of a constitutional amendment. This situation applies symmetrically in all the other realms.

Title

In Solomon Islands, the Queen's official title is: Queen of Solomon Islands and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.[7]

References
  1. https://www.royal.uk/solomon-islands
  2. http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/sectors-solomon_islands/government/
  3. http://www.parliament.gov.sb/index.php?q=node/414
  4. http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/sectors-solomon_islands/government/governor_general/
  5. The Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978, Statutory Instrument 1978 no. 783.
  6. http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=198247
  7. http://www.archontology.org/nations/solomon_islands/00_1978_td_s.php
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