List of heads of state of Trinidad and Tobago


This is a list of the heads of state of Trinidad and Tobago, from the independence of Trinidad and Tobago in 1962 to the present day.
From 1962 to 1976 the head of state under the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962 was the Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, Elizabeth II, who was also the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The Queen was represented in Trinidad and Tobago by a Governor-General. Trinidad and Tobago became a republic under the Constitution of 1976 and the Monarch and Governor-General were replaced by a ceremonial President.

Monarch (1962–1976)

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Governor-General

The Governor-General was the representative of the Monarch in Trinidad and Tobago and exercised most of the powers of the Monarch. The Governor-General was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the Monarch. After the passage of the Statute of Westminster 1931, the Governor-General was appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago without the involvement of the British government. In the event of a vacancy the Chief Justice served as Officer Administering the Government.
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President of Trinidad and Tobago

Under the 1976 Constitution, the constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the President replaced the Monarch as ceremonial head of state. The President was elected by Parliament for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy the President of the Senate served as Acting President.
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Standards

Living former heads of state

There are two living former Trinidadian and Tobagonian Heads of State:
ImageNameTerm/ReignOfficeDate of birth
Elizabeth II1962–1976Queen of Trinidad and Tobago
Anthony Carmona2013–2018President of Trinidad and Tobago