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Governor-General of Tuvalu

The governor-general of Tuvalu is the representative of the Tuvaluan monarch, currently King Charles III, in the country of Tuvalu.

Governor-General of Tuvalu

Monarch of Tuvalu
on the advice of the prime minister

1 October 1978

AU$ 45,262 / US$ 29,760 annually[1]

The governor-general performs the monarch's duties in Tuvalu. The constitutional convention is that the governor-general represents the monarch and acts on the advice of the prime minister.


The office of the governor-general was created on 1 October 1978, when Tuvalu gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, 10 individuals have served as governor-general. The incumbent, since 28 September 2021, is Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani.

Constitutional status and appointment[edit]

The monarchy of Tuvalu exists in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy. As a constitutional monarch, the King acts entirely on the advice of his government ministers in Tuvalu.[2] The monarch is recognised in section 50 of the Constitution of Tuvalu, as a symbol of the unity and identity of Tuvalu. The powers and functions of the head of state are set out in Part IV of the Constitution.[3]


As set out in section 55 of the Constitution, the King's representative in Tuvalu is the governor-general. Section 59(1) of the Constitution requires the governor-general to perform the monarch's functions when the sovereign is outside Tuvalu or otherwise incapacitated.[3] The governor-general is appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the Tuvaluan prime minister.[4]

Residence[edit]

Government House in Funafuti is the official residence of the governor-general of Tuvalu.

Prime Minister of Tuvalu

Governor of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands

Monarchy of Tuvalu