Governor of Tristan da Cunha

Governor of Tristan da Cunha
Coat of arms of Tristan da Cunha
Standard of the governor of Tristan da Cunha
Incumbent
Nigel Phillips
since 13 August 2022
StyleHis Excellency
AppointerMonarch of the United Kingdom
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Formation2009
First holderAndrew Gurr

The governor of Tristan de Cunha is the representative of the monarch in Tristan da Cunha, a constituent part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government. The role of the governor is to act as the de facto head of state.

Prior to 2009 Tristan de Cunha was a dependency of Saint Helena and therefore directly represented by the Governor of Saint Helena. The St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 made Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and Tristan da Cunha equal constituent parts of the territory with their own governments and established the position of Governor of Tristan da Cunha.[1] Per Section 208 of the Constitution Order the person appointed as Governor of Saint Helena is ex officio Governor of Tristan da Cunha. However, as Tristan da Cunha is 1,350 miles (2,170 km) away from Saint Helena, an administrator of Tristan da Cunha is appointed to act as the governor's representative on the Island. This arrangement predates the current constitutional structure and the first Administrator was appointed in the 1940s. Previously the administrator also acted as the local magistrate, but the appointment is to be transferred to a non-member of the executive or legislative branches of government.

  1. ^ "Constitution of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Order 2009". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-25.

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