| King ofSolomon Islands | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Incumbent | |
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| Charles III since 8 September 2022 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | William, Prince of Wales |
| First monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Formation | 7 July 1978 |
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|---|
| Constitution |
Executive |
Judiciary |
Administrative divisions |
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Themonarchy of Solomon Islands is a system of government in which a hereditarymonarch is the sovereign andhead of state ofSolomon Islands. The monarch and head of state, since 8 September 2022, isKing Charles III. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Crown of Solomon Islands. Although the person of the sovereign is equally 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 titledKing of Solomon Islands and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions domestically and abroad as representatives of Solomon Islands. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.
Allexecutiveauthority is vested in the monarch, androyal assent is required for theNational Parliament of Solomon Islands to enact laws and forletters patent andOrders in Council to have legal effect. But the authority for these acts stems from the country's populace, in which sovereignty is vested, and the monarch's direct participation in any of these areas of governance is limited. Most of the powers are exercised by the elected members of parliament, the ministers of the Crown generally drawn from amongst them, and the judges and justices of the peace.
The Crown today primarily functions as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance and a nonpartisan safeguard against theabuse of power. While some powers are exercisable only by the sovereign, most of the monarch's operational and ceremonial duties are exercised by his representative, thegovernor-general of Solomon Islands.
In 1884,Germany annexed north-east New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, and in 1886 they extended their rule over theNorth Solomon Islands.[1] In 1886, Germany and Britain confirmed this arrangement, with the British gaining a "sphere of influence" over the southern Solomons.[2] The British Solomon Islands Protectorate was declared in 1893, partly in response to abuses associated with labour recruitment and partly to regulate contacts between islanders and European settlers but mainly to forestall a threat of annexation by France. Colonial rule began in 1896. DuringWorld War II, theSolomon Islands campaign (1942–1945) saw fierce fighting between the United States,British Commonwealth forces and theEmpire of Japan, including theBattle of Guadalcanal. After the war, Honiara on Guadalcanal became the new capital, replacing Tulagi. Subsequently, the Solomons set out on the path of constitutional development and decolonisation.[3]
Appointed Executive andLegislative Councils were established in 1960, with a degree of elected Solomon Islander representation introduced in 1964 and then extended in 1967.[4][5][6] A new constitution was drawn up in 1970 which merged the two Councils into oneGoverning Council, though the British Governor still retained extensive powers.[4][7] A new constitution in 1974 reduced much of the Governor's remaining powers and created the post of Chief Minister,[4][8] with full self-government for the territory achieved in 1976.[8]
The original draftconstitution of Solomon Islands passed by the Legislative Assembly in March 1977 provided for the country to become a republic one year after independence, unless a two-thirds majority in the national parliament voted to retain the monarchy. Following the transitional period the governor-general at the time would then become the inaugural president of the new republic.[9] British officials opposed this formula on the grounds that it was too complicated and that Solomon Islands should choose its method of government upon independence.[10] Negotiations in London in September 1977 between Solomons leaders and the British government produced a final draft constitution which omitted references to a republic.[11] The British parliament's passage of theSolomon Islands Act 1978 allowed the country to become a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy on 7 July 1978, withQueen Elizabeth II as head of state and Queen of Solomon Islands.[8]
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester represented the Queen at the independence celebrations in July 1978. On 7 July, after the flag-raising ceremony,Baddeley Devesi andPeter Kenilorea took their oaths of office as governor-general and prime minister respectively.[12] The Duke, who delivered his speech inPijin, said: "Today onefella big day, hemi come now. Country belong you fella, hemi grow up, and Queen hemi wantim every something belong you fella. E come up goodfellow long or get a years, bye bye e come."[13]
Solomon Islands is one of fifteen independent nations, known as Commonwealth realms, which shares its sovereign with other realms in theCommonwealth of Nations, with the monarch's relationship with Solomon Islands completely independent from his position as monarch of any other realm.[14] Despite sharing the same person as their respective monarch, each of the Commonwealth realms — including Solomon Islands — is sovereign and independent of the others. The Solomon Island monarch is represented by aviceroy—the governor-general of Solomon Islands—in the country.[15]
This land is the most beautiful place imaginable, and the people of the Solomon Islands are amongst the most gracious and friendly we have ever met. The Queen told us this would be so, and as with so much else in her long reign, Her Majesty was absolutely right.[16]
Since the independence of Solomon Islands in 1978, the pan-national Crown has had both a shared and a separate character and the sovereign's role as monarch of Solomon Islands is distinct to his or her position as monarch of any other realm, including the United Kingdom.[14] The monarchy thus ceased to be an exclusively British institution and in Solomon Islands became a Solomon Island, or "domesticated" establishment.[17][18]
This division is illustrated in a number of ways: The sovereign, for example, holdsa unique Solomon Island title and, when he is acting in public specifically as a representative of Solomon Islands, he uses, where possible, national symbols of Solomon Islands, including the country'snational flag, unique royal symbols, and the like. Also, only Solomon Islandgovernment ministers can advise the sovereign on matters of Solomon Islands.[15]
In Solomon Islands, the legal personality of theState is referred to as "His Majesty in right of Solomon Islands" or the "Crown in right of Solomon Islands".[19][20]
Although Queen Elizabeth II became head of state of Solomon Islands upon independence in 1978, it was not until 2013 that the National Parliament passed theRoyal Style and Titles Act 2013, which legally granted the monarch separate style and titles in relation to Solomon Islands. Upon the commencement of the act, the Queen's official style and titles became:Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Solomon Islands and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.[21] These new style and titles were already in non-statutory use since 1988, when it was included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Manual.[22][23]
Since the accession of King Charles III, the monarch's title is:Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Solomon Islands and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.
When Queen Elizabeth II first visited Solomon Islands in 1974, she was given the titleFau Ni Qweraasi, meaning "a people’s protector", by chief Simeon Kariqwongi of Star Harbour.[24]
As the embodiment of the state, the monarch is the locus of oaths of Allegiance. This is done inreciprocation to the sovereign'sCoronation Oath, wherein they promise to govern the peoples of their realms, "according to their respective laws and customs".[25]
The oath of allegiance in Solomon Islands is:[26]
"I,(name), swear [or solemnly affirm] that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors, according to law. [So help me God.]"
Like some realms, Solomon Islands defers to United Kingdom law to determine the line of succession.[27][28]
Succession is byabsolute primogeniture governed by the provisions of theSuccession to the Crown Act 2013, as well as theAct of Settlement, 1701, and theBill of Rights, 1689. This legislation limits the succession to the natural (i.e. non-adopted), legitimate descendants ofSophia, Electress of Hanover, and stipulates that the monarch cannot be aRoman Catholic, and must be in communion with theChurch of England upon ascending the throne. Though these constitutional laws, as they apply to Solomon Islands, still lie within the control of theBritish Parliament, both the United Kingdom and Solomon Islands cannot change the rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other realms, unless explicitly leaving the shared monarchy relationship; a situation that applies identically in all the other realms, and which has been likened to atreaty amongst these countries.[29]
Upon ademise of the Crown (the death or abdication of a sovereign), it is customary for the accession of the new monarch to be publicly proclaimed by the governor-general in the capital,Honiara, after the accession.[30] Regardless of any proclamations, the late sovereign's heir immediately and automatically succeeds, without any need for confirmation or further ceremony. An appropriate period of mourning also follows, during which flags across the country are flown at half-mast to honour the late monarch. A day of mourning to commemorate the late monarch is likely to be a public holiday.[31][32]
In 1975, the people of this country decided to recommend to the then Constitutional Committee that Her Majesty The Queen become the Head of State. This view was enshrined in our Constitution on Independence in 1978.[33]
The Constitution of Solomon Islands gives Solomon Islands a similar parliamentary system of government as the other Commonwealth realms. All executive authority of the people of Solomon Islands is vested in the monarch,[34] who is represented in the country by a governor-general — appointed by the sovereign in accordance with an address from the National Parliament.[35]
The role of the monarch and the governor-general is both legal and practical; the Crown is regarded as a corporation, in which several parts share the authority of the whole, with the monarch as the person at the centre of the constitutional construct.[36] The Solomon Islands government is also thus formally referred to asHis Majesty's Government of Solomon Islands.[37]
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The vast powers that belong to the Crown are collectively known as theRoyal Prerogative, which includes many powers such as the ability to make treaties or send ambassadors, as well as certain duties such as to defend the realm and to maintain theKing's peace.
Theprime minister, who heads theCabinet of Solomon Islands, is responsible foradvising the monarch or governor-general on how to execute their executive powers over all aspects of government operations and foreign affairs.[38] The monarch's, and thereby the viceroy's role is almost entirely symbolic and cultural, acting as a symbol of the legal authority under which all governments and agencies operate, while the Cabinet directs the use of the Royal Prerogative, which includes the privilege to declare war, maintain theKing's peace, as well as tofix the date of general elections.[39] However, it is important to note that the Royal Prerogative belongs to the Crown and not to any of the ministers, though it might have sometimes appeared that way.[36]
There are also a few duties which are specifically performed by the monarch, such as appointing the governor-general.[40]
The prime minister is elected by the members of the National Parliament in accordance with section 33 of the national constitution, at a meeting convened by the governor-general after each election or in the event of a vacancy.[41] The governor-general additionally appoints a Cabinet, at the direction of the prime minister.[42] The monarch is informed by his viceroy of the acceptance of the resignation of a prime minister and the swearing-in of a new prime minister and other members of the ministry, and he remains fully briefed through regular communications from his Solomon Island ministers.[43] Members of various executive agencies and other officials are appointed by the Crown.
The Royal Prerogative also extends to foreign affairs: the sovereign or the governor-general may negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements; no parliamentary approval is required. However, a treaty cannot alter the domestic laws of Solomon Islands; an Act of Parliament is necessary in such cases. The governor-general, on behalf of the monarch, also accredits Solomon IslandsHigh Commissioners and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states.[44]
All laws in Solomon Islands are enacted only with the governor-general's granting ofroyal assent in the monarch's name, which cannot be refused and must be granted "forthwith".[45] The viceroy additionally summons,prorogues, anddissolves parliament; after the latter, thewrits for a general election are usuallydropped by the governor-general at Government House, Honiara.[46]
The new parliamentary session is marked by the State Opening of Parliament, during which the monarch or the governor-general reads theSpeech from the Throne.[47]
The sovereign is responsible for rendering justice for all his subjects, and is thus traditionally deemed thefount of justice.[48] In Solomon Islands, criminal offences are legally deemed to be offences against the sovereign and proceedings forindictable offences are brought in the sovereign's name in the form ofThe King [or Queen] versus [Name],Rex [or Regina] versus [Name] orR versus [Name].[49][50][51] Hence, the common law holds that the sovereign "can do no wrong"; themonarch cannot be prosecuted in his or her own courts for criminal offences.[52]
The governor-general, on behalf of the monarch of Solomon Islands, can also grant immunity from prosecution, exercise theroyal prerogative of mercy, and pardon offences against the Crown, either before, during, or after a trial. The granting of a pardon and the commutation of prison sentences is described in section 45 of the Constitution.[53]
Judges of the High Court of Solomon Islands are appointed by the governor-general, on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.[54]
TheKing's Official Birthday is a public holiday in Solomon Islands where it is usually celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year.[55] It is regarded as one of the most important events of the year in the country. The day starts with the police marching band performing in the capital city of Honiara.[56] Rallies are held all over the islands, which is followed by sporting events and custom dancing, and the celebrations and parties go long into the night.[57][58][59]
The governor-general delivers a speech on the King's Birthday,[60][61] and honours and medals are given to those who have rendered services to Solomon Islands.[62][56]
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Within the Commonwealth realms, the monarch is thefount of honour.[63] Similarly, the monarch, as Sovereign of Solomon Islands, confers awards and honours in Solomon Islands in his name. Most of them are often awarded on the advice of "His Majesty's Solomon Island Ministers".[64][65]
In March 1981, Governor-GeneralSir Baddeley Devesi was authorised by Royal warrant to institute the regulation of anOrder of Solomon Islands. The order is composed of three grades: theStar of Solomon Islands, theCross of Solomon Islands, and theSolomon Islands Medal. In 1982, Queen Elizabeth II became the first recipient of the Star of Solomon Islands,[66][67] and the same honour was conferred on King Charles III in 2024.[68]
The Police Force of Solomon Islands is known as the "Royal Solomon Islands Police Force". Formerly the Solomon Islands Police Force, the force was granted the prefix "Royal" by Queen Elizabeth II in 1978.[69]
The Crown sits at the pinnacle of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. Under the Police Act 2013, all officers in the Police Force have to swear allegiance to the monarch of Solomon Islands, before taking office. The current oath is:[70]
"I,(name), Swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve His Majesty, King Charles the Third, King of Solomon Islands and will execute the powers and duties of my office honestly, faithfully and diligently without favour or affection, malice or ill-will towards any person and I will obey, uphold and maintain the laws of Solomon Islands. To the best of my power, I will seek and cause the peace to be preserved and will prevent all offences against the peace to the best of my skill and knowledge, and discharge all duties faithfully according to law."
St. Edward's Crown appears on the police force's badges and rank insignia, which illustrates the monarchy as the locus of authority.
Queen blong yumi and Duke blong Edinburgh telling me such a good memories blong time algeter visitin this islands.
(Pijin: Our Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have told me they have such good memories of their time visiting these islands.)[71][72]
Members of the royal family have occasionally visited Solomon Islands.Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited the islands in 1959 and 1971.[73] TheDuke andDuchess of Kent visited in 1969.[74]
Queen Elizabeth II first visited in 1974, with Prince Philip,Princess Anne,Captain Mark Phillips andLord Mountbatten, during a tour of the area.[75] In 1978,Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester represented the Queen at the independence celebrations.[74] The Queen and her husband visited the islands again in October 1982 after attending theCommonwealth Games in Australia.[75]
TheDuke andDuchess of Gloucester visited the country in August 2008. They attended a parade in commemoration of the 30th Independence Anniversary, followed by an Ecumenical Church Service at theSaint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral Church. During their visit, the couple visited King George the Sixth School, the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL), the National Referral hospital, the RAMSI Camp at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort and the American War Memorial in Skyline. The Duke also addressed the National Parliament to mark the end of the visit.[76][77]
Prince William andCatherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited in September 2012 to mark theQueen's Diamond Jubilee. During the visit, the Duke and Duchess were treated to panpipes performances, traditional costumes and an idyllic island retreat. In a cultural village, the couple saw performances by people representing the nine provinces that make up the nation. In Honiara, the Duke and Duchess attended a memorial to the Coast Watchers. During the visit, the couple also travelled on a traditional war canoe between the islands of Marapa and Tavanipupu.[78]
Charles, Prince of Wales visited the country in November 2019. During the visit, he attended a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Barnabas' Anglican Cathedral, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers' Memorial, and addressed the National Parliament.[79][80]
At the time of independence, local councils associated with the formerMaasina Ruru movement were said to favour retaining the monarchy, while a majority of the Legislative Assembly favoured becoming a republic.[81]
At the1980 general election, theSolomon Islands United Party led by Prime MinisterPeter Kenilorea emerged as the largest party, running on a platform that included replacing the monarchy with an indigenous ceremonial presidency.[82] Kenilorea was subsequently replaced as prime minister by his opponentSolomon Mamaloni, who favoured anexecutive presidency and appointed a committee to revise the constitution on those lines. However, Mamaloni was defeated at the1984 election and the committee was dissolved.[83]
In 1987, Prime MinisterEzekiel Alebua appointed a Constitutional Review Committee chaired by Mamaloni. The committee's report presented in 1988 again recommended abolition of the monarchy as part of a wider process ofindigenisation, with only indigenous Solomon Islanders eligible to become president.[84] The new president was to have greater powers than the governor-general, such as greater powers to dissolve parliament on their own initiative, but without a full executive presidency.[85] Mamaloni was re-elected prime ministerin 1989, but failed to bring about the committee's recommendations.[86]
A further process of constitutional review was initiated in response to civil unrest which broke out in Solomon Islands in the late 1990s, with theTownsville Peace Agreement of 2000 requiring the government to establish a constitutional council. TheFederal Constitution of Solomon Islands Bill 2004 produced by the process envisaged Solomon Islands becoming a federal republic.[87] In 2007 the government established the Constitutional Congress, which produced further draft federal constitutions in 2009 and 2011; the latter provided for the country to be renamed the Democratic Federal Republic of Solomon Islands.[88] A revised draft Constitution of the Republic of Solomon Islands was released by the Solomon Islands government in 2018.[89]
In 2022, Prime MinisterManasseh Sogavare promised to enact the new federal constitution by 2026.[90] Sogavare's government amended the constitution in 2023 to establish a process for repeal of the 1978 constitution, including the creation of a Constituent Assembly which would approve a final constitution based on the 2018 draft for a parliamentary vote.[91]
A 2023 poll by Lord Ashcroft polling showed that 59% of those questioned in Solomon Islands supported a democratically elected head of state compared to 34% in favour of keeping the monarchy and 7% who did not know or would not vote.[92]
| Portrait | Regnal name (Birth–Death) | Reign over Solomon Islands | Full name | Consort | House | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | End | |||||
.jpg) | Elizabeth II (1926–2022) | 7 July 1978 | 8 September 2022 | Elizabeth Alexandra Mary | Philip Mountbatten | Windsor |
| Governors-general:Sir Baddeley Devesi,Sir George Lepping,Sir Moses Pitakaka,Sir John Lapli,Sir Nathaniel Waena,Sir Frank Kabui,Sir David Vunagi Prime ministers:Peter Kenilorea,Solomon Mamaloni,Ezekiel Alebua,Francis Billy Hilly,Bartholomew Ulufa'alu,Manasseh Sogavare,Allan Kemakeza,Snyder Rini,Derek Sikua,Danny Philip,Gordon Darcy Lilo,Rick Houenipwela | ||||||
| Charles III (born 1948) | 8 September 2022 | present | Charles Philip Arthur George | Camilla Shand | Windsor |
| Governors-general:Sir David Vunagi,Sir David Tiva Kapu Prime ministers:Manasseh Sogavare,Jeremiah Manele | ||||||
The Crown is an institution that has grown to become specific to the country in which it now finds itself planted. No longer just a British monarchy, the Crown is separately a Jamaican monarchy, Tuvaluan monarchy, Canadian monarchy, et cetera.
