Governor-General of Belize
The governor-general of Belize is the representative of the Belizean monarch, currently King Charles III, in Belize. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Belize. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by the National Assembly; and issuing writs for election.
Governor-General of Belize
Governor-General Sir Colville Young (left) attending a diplomatic function at US Embassy Belize, 2011
Governor-General Froyla Tzalam with Leyla Moses-Ones, US Chargé d'Affaires, 2021
Governor-General Sir Colville Young with President Tsai of Taiwan, 2018
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 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 constitutional role.
Monarchy of Belize
William, Prince of Wales, the current heir apparent to the Belizean throne, with Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, 2023
Governor-General Sir Colville Young and President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan converse under a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, 2018
U.S. Ambassador to Belize Michelle Kwan presenting her credentials to Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, 2022