Government House
Mount Fitzwiliam comprises the offices and residence of the Governor-General. It is a ten-acre site and is named in honour of Richard Fitzwilliam, who was governor from 1733 to 1738. The site was purchased by the Crown in 1800 for four thousand pounds, sterling.
The Governor-General is the representative of the British Monarch who is the head of The Commonwealth of Nations, of which The Bahamas is a Member State. The Governor-General lives and works at Mount-Fitzwilliam.
The mansion has undergone many changes over the years. The original structure was built during the administration of John Halkett, who served as Governor from 1801-1804.
In 1907, the East Wing was added to house the offices (ground floor) and the Grand Ballroom (upstairs). Badly damaged by a hurricane, the East Wing was replaced by a new structure in 1909.
Substantial damage to the mansion, caused by the hurricane of 1929, led to it rebuilding. Retaining the original, solid, outside walls, the new structure was given a new facade, including a carport, as well as improved entry and hallways. It was ready for occupancy by Governor Sir Bede and Lady Clifford in 1932.
Additional quarters in the West Wing (now known as the Windsor Wing) were constructed to accommodate the personal staff of the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VII of Great Britain, and Governor of The Bahamas from 1940 to 1944.
During 1964 considerable renovation was carried out, at which time the office accommodation on the ground floor of the East Wing was also remodelled.
In 1977 the roof of the Patio on the south side of the building was added to facilitate the accommodation for the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in October that year.
The present Governor-General is Her Excellency the Most Honourable Cynthia A. Pratt, ON, who was sworn in as the Governor-General on September 1st, 2023. Her role is both Constitutional and ceremonial
Constitutionally, the Governor-General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister in all matters which include, inter alia:-
- to summon, dissolve and open Parliament;
- to invite the leader of the political party who commands the support of the majority of elected representatives to the House of Assembly to form the government;
- to invite the leader of the political party with the second highest support in the House of Assembly to become the leader of the official opposition;
- to read the Speech from the Throne following the opening of a newly elected Government, of after a Prorogation.;
- to confer Honours and Awards;
- to sign legislation passed by the Houses of Parliament which bring such into force;
- to accept credentials of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to The Bahamas;
- to appoint justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Service Commissions, Chairs and Members, and Justices of the Peace;
- to receive Heads of State, national officials and citizens who may wish to make courtesy calls on the Governor-General;
- On the advice of the Public Service Commission, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, and other Commissions to appoint public officers; and,
- Various other duties as set out in the Constitution.
