Former Acting Governor General, Errol Charles, will observe Saint Lucia’s 46th Independence Anniversary on Saturday (February 22nd) with two new titles: as the island’s latest Governor-General and as a Knight.
The two new positions, conferred on the island’s Head of State by King Charles III, mean his Acting position has ended and is now to be officially referred to as ‘Sir Errol’.
The position of Governor General of Saint Lucia was created on Independence Day, February 22nd 1979, replacing the earlier title of Governor, which replaced the earlier ‘Administrator’ on achievement of Statehood in 1967.
In earlier times, the Governor of Saint Lucia lived in Grenada and was also responsible for the Windward Islands, including Dominica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.
The island’s first Governors-General were Sir Frederick Clarke (in 1967) and Sir Allen Lewis (1979).
Since independence, Governors-General have included: Mr Boswell Williams, Sir Allen Lewis, Sir Stanislaus James, Sir George Mallet, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Sir Neville Cenac – and now, Sir Errol Charles.
The current Head of State is the son of national hero Sir George F.L. Charles, after whom the former Vigie Airport is named and was appointed under the current Philip J. Pierre administration after it took office in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan embassy says the kingdom’s King Mohammed VI has sent a message of congratulations to Sir Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, on his appointment by King Charles III as Governor-General of Saint Lucia.
In his message, the Moroccan sovereign expressed to Sir Cyril, his “warmest congratulations and sincere wishes for every success in his high office.”
The embassy’s online note says: “His Majesty the King also expresses His satisfaction with the special relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Saint Lucia, which are rooted in close friendship and fruitful cooperation in various sectors, for the mutual benefit of both peoples.”