BY MIKE TUA
HIS Excellency the Governor General Sir David Vunagi becomes the 7th Governors-General of the Solomon Islands to have served under the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II since the country gained its independence from Great Britain.
He served 3 years and 63 days until her death on September 8, 2022, and now becomes the first Governor General to serve under the reign of the new King, Charles III.
Until her death last week, the Queen was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She has served as the Solomon Islands’ official head of state, a role in which she was supported by the Governor General.
Before the country’s independence on 7 July 1978, the country was governed by a Governor and the Executive Council.
His Excellency the Governor General on Monday (yesterday) read to the country the Proclamation from Buckingham Palace on the Ascension to the Throne of His Majesty King Charles III.
The Royal Protocol on the Proclamation of the King requires that as of 1 pm on Tuesday 13th September (today) all flags will fly half-mast until after burial on Monday 19th September.
Meanwhile, following that Declaration, His Majesty King Charles III is officially the Head of State for the Solomon Islands.
Sir Vunagi will represent the country at the official funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on 19 September 2022, according to a cited report from the Government Communication Unit.
Here’s the list of the Solomon Islands Governors General who served under the late Queen from 1978 until 2022:
- Late Sir Baddeley Devesi: 7 July 1978 to 7 July 1988 -10 years (Time in office)
- Late Sir George Lepping: 7 July 1988 to 7 July 1994 – 6 years (Time in office)
- Late Sir Moses Pitakaka: 7 July 1994 to 7 July 1999 – 5 years (Time in office)
- Sir John Lapli: 7 July 1999 to 7 July 2004 – 5 years (Time in office)
- Sir Nathaniel Waena: 7 July 2004 to 7 July 2009 – 5 years (Time in office)
- Sir Frank Kabui: 7 July 2009 to 7 July 2019 – 10 years (Time in office)
- Sir David Vunagi: 2019 to present (3 years, 67 days)
