Governor of Northern Ireland

The governor of Northern Ireland was the principal officer and representative in Northern Ireland of the British monarch. The office was established on 9 December 1922 and abolished on 18 July 1973. Overview The office of Governor of Northern Ireland was established on 9 December 1922 under letters patent to: The governor was the successor to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Northern Ireland, itself established on 3 May 1921. The office of the governor was abolished on 18 July 1973 under Section 32 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973. The secretary of state for Northern Ireland, a cabinet office that had been created in 1972, took over the functions of the governor on 20 December 1973 under Letters Patent. Analogous to the governor-general of a Commonwealth Dominion, the governor's formal power was ceremonial, exercised on the "advice" of the Government of Northern Ireland. The government was technically an "executive committee" of the governor's Privy Council of Northern Ireland, which was ceremonial and rarely met. The governor summoned and prorogued the Parliament of Northern Ireland (latterly at Stormont Castle) and delivered the speech from the throne at the Parliament's annual State Opening (except for the first such in 1921, delivered in person by George V). The governor had possession of the Great Seal of Northern Ireland, and exercised the prerogative of mercy.