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2 British Monarchs (1874 to 1987) 3 Colonial Governors (1874-1970) 4 Governors-General (1970-1987) 5 Presidents (since 1987) |
Kings (1700s to 1874)
British Monarchs (1874 to 1987)
From 1874 to 1987, the British Monarch was Fiji's formal Head of State.
Colonial Governors (1874-1970)
Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970. Although the British Monarch was the Head of State, in practice his or her functions were exercised in Fiji by the colonial Governor, who acted on instructions from the British government in London.
Governors-General (1970-1987)
Fiji became an independent Dominion within the British Commonwealth on October 10 1970. The office of Governor was renamed Governor-General; the only change of function was that the Governor-General acted on the advice of the Fijian, rather than the British, government.
Presidents (since 1987)
Fiji became a republic in 1987, upon the abdication of Queen Elizabeth II following two military coups. The last Governor General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, became the first President.