Category:Monarchy in Jamaica

From Jamaica Wiki

Since Jamaica independence in 1962, Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its reigning monarch. The powers of The Queen are executed by the Governor General.

Constitutional monarchy in Jamaica

International and domestic role

Jamaican Monarchy is a shared monarchy. There are 53 states that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Some of these countries recognize the same person as being their monarch and Jamaica is one of these counties. Although all of these countries share the same monarch they are completely independent of each other and are sovereign.

Development of shared monarchy

A declaration from 1926 (The Balfour Declaration) stated that the countries until than dominions of Britain are now equal to it. The result was that shared monarchy that will operate in all of the countries while they are independent of each other and equal to Britain.

Title

The Queen's official title in Jamaica is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Jamaica and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

This title clearly shows that Jamaica is an Independent monarchy that respects the Monarch's role.

Constitutional role

Jamaica has similar constitution to the ones of the other Commonwealth realm countries. Part of the constitution is of British origin and the other part – Jamaican.

The Governor General represents the Monarch in Jamaica. All of the Monarch powers are exercised by him. The Governor General is appointed by the Monarch upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Duties

The Governor General exercises most of the Queen's duties in Jamaica. He represents her on ceremonial occasions, the presentation of honors and military parades. He can also act on some matters - in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service, in proroguing Parliament.

The Monarch role is purely symbolic and cultural. It is similar to the Monarch role in the rest of the Commonwealth real countries. The Monarch powers are in fact exercised by the advice of the Cabinet, made up of Ministers of the Crown.

Some of the powers of the Monarch are executed solely by her. The Queen is he one who signs the appointment papers of Governors General, confirms the awards of Jamaican honors, and approves any change in her Jamaican title.

Succession

The succession is governed by the provisions of the Act of Settlement and the English Bill of Rights. These documents are part of the Jamaican constitution. The documents have specific requirements for the Monarch. He cannot be a Roman Catholic, nor married to one. The Monarch must be in communion with the Church of England.

Legal role

The legal roles of the Monarchy of Jamaica are:

1. Signs all laws in Jamaica. This is known as Royal Assent;
2. The Monarch can disallow a bill according the conditions stated in the constitution;
3. The Monarch is responsible for the independent justice;
4. The Monarch is also a symbol of the Courts of Justice; The Arms of Her Majesty in Right of Jamaica symbol is displayed in all Jamaican courtrooms;