This is a list of the heads of state of Trinidad and Tobago, from the independence of Trinidad and Tobago in 1962 to the present day.
From 1962 to 1976, the head of state under the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962 was the queen of Trinidad and Tobago, Elizabeth II, who was also the monarch of the other Commonwealth realms. The Queen was viceregally represented in Trinidad and Tobago by a governor-general. Trinidad and Tobago became a republic under the Constitution of 1976 and the monarch and governor-general were replaced by a ceremonial president.
Monarchy (1962–1976) The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.
PortraitMonarchReignRoyal housePrime minister Reign start Reign end Duration 1 Queen Elizabeth II 1962 1976 Windsor Williams
Governor-general The governor-general was the representative of the monarch in Trinidad and Tobago and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The governor-general was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch. Since Trinidad and Tobago was granted independence by the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962, rather than being first established as a semi-autonomous dominion and later promoted to independence as defined by the Statute of Westminster 1931, the governor-general was to be always appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago without the involvement of the British government, with the sole exception of Solomon Hochoy, the last colonial governor, who continued as the first governor-general until he was replaced by Sir Ellis Clarke. In the event of a vacancy, the chief justice served as officer administering the government under a dormant commission.
PortraitGovernor-GeneralTerm of officePrime ministerMonarch Took office Left office Time in office 1 Sir Solomon Hochoy 1962 1972 WilliamsElizabeth II 2 Sir Ellis Clarke 1972 1976
Republic (1976–present) Under the 1976 Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the president replaced the monarch as head of state. The president was elected by Parliament for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the President of the Senate served as acting president.
Status
PortraitPresidentElectedTerm of officePrime minister(s) Took office Left office Time in office1Sir Ellis Clarke19761982 1976 1976WilliamsChambersRobinson 1976 1987 2 Noor Hassanali 19871992 1987 1997 RobinsonManningPanday 3 A. N. R. Robinson 1997 1997 2003 PandayManning 4 George Maxwell Richards 20032008 2003 2013 ManningPersad-Bissessar 5 Anthony Carmona 2013 2013 2018 Persad-BissessarRowley 6 Paula-Mae Weekes 2018 2018 2023 Rowley 7 Christine Kangaloo 2023 2023 Incumbent RowleyYoungPersad-Bissessar
Timeline
Standards
References
External links World Statesmen – Trinidad and Tobago Rulers.org – Trinidad and Tobago