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Queen of Trinidad and Tobago
Coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago
Elizabeth II of Trinidad and Tobago
Details
StyleHer Majesty
Formation31 August 1962
Abolition1 August 1976

Elizabeth II was Queen of Trinidad and Tobago from 1962 to 1976, when Trinidad and Tobago was a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. She was also the monarch of other Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom. Her constitutional roles in Trinidad and Tobago were mostly delegated to the governor-general of Trinidad and Tobago.

History

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The Queen on Trinidadian and Tobagonian stamps of 1953

Trinidad and Tobago became a sovereign state and independent monarchy on 31 August 1962[1] by the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962, which transformed the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago into an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II became the head of state and Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, and was represented by a Governor-General, who resided at the Government House in Port of Spain.

Princess Mary, The Princess Royal represented the Queen at the independence celebrations. Just before the midnight of the eve of independence, the Princess joined large crowds in front of the Red House to witness the flag raising ceremony. After the ceremony, the Princess Royal, accompanied by Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams, attended a service of dedication in the Anglican Cathedral.[2] At the Red House in Port of Spain, the Princess opened the newly independent nation's first Parliament, on behalf of the Queen. The Queen's message to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, was read by her aunt in the Red House. In her message, the Queen extended her warm welcome to the new member of the Commonwealth. The Queen declared her confidence that the new nation, composed of people with many varied origins and traditions would live harmoniously and play a full part in promoting cooperation.[3]

Accompanied by the Governor-General Sir Solomon Hochoy and Lady Hochoy, the Princess Royal also visited Tobago.[3]

Constitutional role

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Government House, Port of Spain, the official residence of the monarch and the governor-general

Trinidad and Tobago was one of the realms of the Commonwealth of Nations that shared the same person as Sovereign and head of state.

Effective with the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962, no British government minister could advise the sovereign on any matters pertaining to Trinidad and Tobago, meaning that on all matters of Trinidad and Tobago, the monarch was advised solely by Trinidadian and Tobagonian ministers of the Crown. All Trinidadian and Tobagonian bills required Royal assent. The Trinidadian and Tobagonian monarch was represented in the realm by the Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago, who was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.[4]

The Crown and Honours

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Within the Commonwealth realms, the monarch is deemed the "fount of honour".[5] Similarly, the monarch, as Sovereign of Trinidad and Tobago, conferred awards and honours in Trinidad and Tobago in her name. Most of them were awarded on the advice of "Her Majesty's Trinidad and Tobago Ministers".[6][7]

On the 26 August 1969, Elizabeth II, Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, acting on the advice of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago, issued Letters Patent establishing a society of honour in Trinidad and Tobago, to be known as the "Order of the Trinity", for the purpose of "according recognition to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and other persons for distinguished or meritorious service or for gallantry".[8]

The Crown and Government

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Red House, the seat of Parliament in Trinidad and Tobago

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago was officially known as Her Majesty's Government.[9]

The monarch of Trinidad and Tobago, the Senate, and the House of Representatives constituted the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.[4] All executive powers of Trinidad and Tobago rested with the sovereign. All laws in Trinidad and Tobago were enacted only with the granting of royal assent, done by the Governor-General on behalf of the sovereign. The Governor-General was also responsible for summoning, proroguing, and dissolving Parliament.[4] The Governor-General had the power to choose and appoint the Council of Ministers and could dismiss them under his discretion. All Trinidadian and Tobagonian ministers of the Crown held office at the pleasure of the Governor-General.[4]

The flag of the Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago featuring the St Edward's Crown

The Crown and Foreign affairs

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Trinidadian and Tobagonian representatives to foreign countries were accredited by the monarch in her capacity as Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and Trinidadian and Tobagonian envoys sent abroad required royal approval. The letters of credence were formerly issued in the name of the monarch.[10]

The Crown and the Courts

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All Trinidadian and Tobagonian judges had to swear that they would "well and truly serve" the monarch of Trinidad and Tobago and "and do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of Trinidad and Tobago without fear or favour, affection or ill will".[4]

The highest court of appeal for Trinidad and Tobago was and still is the Judicial Committee of the Queen's Privy Council. The monarch, and by extension the governor-general, could also grant immunity from prosecution, exercise the royal prerogative of mercy, and pardon offences against the Crown, either before, during, or after a trial.[4]

Title

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By a royal proclamation in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette in November 1962, the monarch was granted a separate title in her role as Queen of Trinidad and Tobago.[11]

Elizabeth II had the following styles in her role as the monarch of Trinidad and Tobago:

  • 31 August 1962 – 2 November 1962: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith[12][11]
  • 2 November 1962 – 1 August 1976: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth[11][13]

Oath of allegiance

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The oath of allegiance in Trinidad and Tobago was:[4]

"I, (name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law. So help me God".

Queen's Personal Flag for Trinidad and Tobago

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Queen Elizabeth II had a personal flag as Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, for use in the islands.[14][15] It was used for the first time when she visited the nation in 1966.[16] The flag featured the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago in banner form, which depicts the colours of the national flag. The gold ships represent the three ships Christopher Columbus used on his voyage. The two birds above are hummingbirds, as Trinidad is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Hummingbird", because 18 different species of hummingbird have been recorded on the island.[17] A blue disc of the letter "E" crowned surrounded by a garland of gold roses defaces the flag, which is taken from the Queen's Personal Flag.[18]

The Queen's Personal Flag in Trinidad and Tobago

Royal tour of 1966

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External videos
video icon Queen In West Indies - Technicolor (1966)
Source: British Pathé.

As sovereign of Trinidad and Tobago, Elizabeth II visited the islands from 7 to 10 February 1966.[19]

The Queen's four-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago began on 7 February 1966. The royal yacht Britannia, flying her personal standard as Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, sailed into Scarborough Harbour at Port of Spain, to the sounding of ships' sirens.[14] The Queen and Prince Philip were welcomed by tens of thousands of citizens. They were greeted on the wharf by the Governor-General Sir Solomon Hochoy, and Lady Hochoy, and the Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams, and his daughter Erica Williams.[20]

University of the West Indies at St Augustine in 2021

The Queen had a busy itinerary to fulfill. She travelled around the country, laying a wreath on the Cenotaph, visiting the University of the West Indies at St Augustine, driving through San Fernando, and attending a rally of schoolchildren at Queen's Park. The Queen and the Duke received the same enthusiastic welcome everywhere.[20]

On 8 February, the Queen opened the new session of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament, the first reigning monarch to do so. In her speech from the Throne of Trinidad and Tobago, the Queen outlined the government's plan for 1966. She prayed that God would give the strength and steadfastness to the government and the nation to keep the path they had freely elected to pursue.[20]

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival was scheduled for a fortnight later, but the people staged a preview for the Queen and Prince Philip. Some of the performers represented historical characters, and the Queen was said to be amused by a man dressed as King Henry VIII. Later, the Queen said, "if this is just a preview sample the real thing must be fabulous".[21][22]

Fort King George in 2016

On 10 February, the Queen and Prince Philip went on a 20-mile state drive in the island of Tobago, during which they visited Fort George, and saw the entire western section of the island. They had a buffet lunch at the Crown Point Hotel and in the afternoon attended a garden party at the Governor General's Tobagonian residence. In the same evening, the Queen and the Duke left the islands in the royal yacht for Grenada.[20]

A set of four stamps was released by the postal services of Trinidad and Tobago to commemorate the Queen's first royal visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 1966.[23]

Abolition

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Prince Charles and Camilla during their visit to Trinidad and Tobago, 2008

In 1969, at a sitting of the House of Representatives on 12 December, Prime Minister Williams moved a motion on constitution reform. He suggested that the House approve the appointment of a joint select committee of Parliament which would include representatives of all parties to consider whether it was desirable of Trinidad and Tobago to become a republic.[24]

On 9 October 1970, the Committee was appointed. They met once on 19 October 1970. However, in its report to Parliament, the committee stated that it wasn't able to complete consideration of the subject matter entrusted to it and recommended that in the following session a committee be appointed to complete action on this matter.[24]

Governor-General Hochoy announced Government's decision to appoint a constitution commission, which was mandated to make recommendations for the revision of the constitution and also to produce a draft constitution based on its enquiry.[24] Two years and six months later in 1974, the complete report with recommendations, and the draft constitution were presented to the Governor-General on 22 January.[24]

On 13 June 1975, the Prime Minister Williams laid the draft constitution of the republic in Parliament.[24] Both houses of Parliament passed the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Act on 26 March 1976. Just before the voting, most of the opposition leaders left the chamber in protest. There was also an attempt to stop the Governor-General's assent to the bill, through a motion filed by a private citizen in the San Fernando Supreme Court, but it failed.[24] The bill was assented to on 29 March by the Governor-General.[25]

The new constitution was adopted on 1 August 1976, when Trinidad and Tobago became a republic within the Commonwealth with a president as its head of state.[1]

Upon proclamation of the republic, the Trinidadian and Tobagonian monarchy and the post of Governor-General were abolished. Sir Ellis Clarke was sworn in as the 1st President of Trinidad and Tobago.[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Ministry of Public Administration and Information. "Republic Day". National Library of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  2. ^ Commonwealth Survey: Volume 8, Central Office of Information, 1962, p. 749
  3. ^ a b Hispanic American Report: Volume 15, Part 2, Stanford University, Hispanic World Affairs Seminar, 1962, pp. 815–816
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Trinidad and Tobago (Constitution) Order in Council 1962 (PDF), retrieved 4 November 2021
  5. ^ Commonwealth Journal: The Journal of the Royal Commonwealth Society · Volumes 12-14, Royal Commonwealth Society, 1969, p. 99
  6. ^ "No. 43672". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1965. pp. 5521–5522.
  7. ^ "No. 44331". The London Gazette (6th supplement). 2 June 1952. pp. 6319–6320.
  8. ^ "TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE" (PDF). Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Continental Shelf Act, 1969" (PDF). un.org. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  10. ^ Trinidad and Tobago. Office of the Prime Minister, Eric Eustace Williams (1975), Constitution Reform: Speech, Government Printer, South Africa, p. 13
  11. ^ a b c "Trinidad and Tobago: Heads of State: 1962-1976". archontology.org. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  12. ^ "No. 39873". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 May 1953. p. 3023.
  13. ^ The Statesman's Year-Book 1971-72: The Businessman's Encyclopaedia of All Nations, Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2016, p. 58, ISBN 9780230271005
  14. ^ a b Robert Harbinson Bryans (1967), Trinidad and Tobago: Isles of the Immortelles, Faber, p. 284
  15. ^ Flags of the World, F. Warne, 1978, p. 27, ISBN 9780723220152, The Royal Standard had accordingly been designed for Sierra Leone, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Malta.
  16. ^ Cathcart, Helen Fogd (1966), Her Majesty the Queen: The Story of Elizabeth II., Dodd, Mead, p. 211, On her Caribbean tour in the royal yacht Britannia in 1966, as Queen of the newly self-governing territories of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, she had adopted a personal flag "to fly on all occasions when Her Majesty is present in person.
  17. ^ Chang, Carlyle (1998). "Chinese in Trinidad Carnival". The Drama Review. 43 (3): 213–19. doi:10.1162/105420498760308571. JSTOR 1146692. S2CID 57571669.
  18. ^ Pedersen, Christian Fogd (1971), The International Flag Book in Color, Volume 10, Morrow, p. 211, ISBN 9780688018832, The Queen's Personal Flag for use in Trinidad and Tobago. Flown for the first time during a visit in 1966, it is the banner of the State Arms defaced with the Queen's initial.
  19. ^ "Commonwealth visits since 1952". Official website of the British monarchy. Royal Household. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  20. ^ a b c d West India Committee (1966), Chronicle: Volume 81, p. 125
  21. ^ "The Royal Tour of the Caribbean (1966)". BFI National Archive. Retrieved 5 November 2021 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Queen In West Indies - Technicolor (1966)". British Pathé. Retrieved 5 November 2021 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth · Volume 89, General Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, 2008, p. 360
  24. ^ a b c d e f g "For the People: The Creation of a Republic". Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved 5 November 2021 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REPUBLIC BILL [H.L.]". UK Parliament. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
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