The monarchy of Belize (the Belizean monarchy) is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch - shared with several other commonwealth countries - is the sovereign of Belize. Queen Elizabeth II, officially called Queen of Belize, was the first monarch and reigned from 21 September 1981 until her death on 8 September 2022, when she was succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III (previously known as Prince Charles). The monarch is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.
The Queen, her husband and consort, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, and other members of the royal family, including the Queen's other children and cousins, undertook various public ceremonial functions across Belize and on behalf of Belize abroad. Most of the Queen's powers in Belize were exercised by the Governor-General.
The Belizean monarch, besides reigning in Belize, separately serves as head of state for each of fifteen other Commonwealth countries. This developed from the former colonial relationship of these countries to Britain, but they are now independent and the monarchy of each is legally distinct. |