Belize's Currency: The Queen's Legacy

Belize was a British colony until it gained independence in 1981. As a result, Queen Elizabeth II, the country's first head of state, is featured on all local banknotes and coins. Belize is now an independent constitutional monarchy, and the current monarch and head of state is King Charles III.

Belize was a British colony until 1981

The history of British involvement in Belize dates back to the 1600s, when English buccaneers and settlers began cutting logwood in the region. In 1798, Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye, securing its claim to the land. Belize became a British colony in 1840 and a Crown colony in 1862, known as British Honduras.

In the years leading up to its independence, Belize underwent several constitutional changes, granting it more autonomy. In 1964, the United Kingdom granted British Honduras self-governance, and in 1973, the official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to Belize.

On September 21, 1981, Queen Elizabeth II signed the Belize Independence Order, making Belize an independent nation. Despite gaining independence, Belize remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state.

Queen Elizabeth II was Belize's first head of state

Belize was a British colony until it gained independence in 1981. During this time, the British monarchy was Belize's monarchy too. When Belize became independent, it became a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II, who was the British monarch at the time, therefore became Belize's first head of state.

Queen Elizabeth II signed the Belize Independence Order in 1981, which made Belize a sovereign state. Prince Michael of Kent represented the Queen at the independence celebrations. Belize's new prime minister, George Price, received the instruments of independence from Prince Michael. On the same day, the Queen appointed Elmira Minita Gordon as governor-general of Belize, who became the first female governor-general in the history of the Commonwealth.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Belize in 1985, 1994, and 2022. During her 1985 visit, the Queen was served a dish considered a delicacy by Belizeans—gibnut, a large rodent often eaten stewed with rice and beans. Since then, the rodent has been referred to as the 'Royal Rat'.

Belize's current monarch and head of state is King Charles III. The Belizean Crown today primarily functions as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance and a nonpartisan safeguard against the abuse of power. While the King is the only member of the royal family with a constitutional role, most of the monarch's operational and ceremonial duties are exercised by his representative, the governor-general of Belize.

The Queen played a role in Belize's independence

Belize was a British colony until it gained independence in 1981. During this time, it was known as British Honduras, and the crown's representative was a lieutenant governor, subordinate to the governor of Jamaica. In 1964, the United Kingdom granted British Honduras self-governance under a new constitution. On 1 June 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize.

Queen Elizabeth II played a role in Belize's independence, signing the Belize Independence Order in 1981, which made Belize a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. The Queen's representative, Prince Michael of Kent, handed the instruments of independence to the country's first prime minister, George Price, on 21 September 1981.

Despite Belize's independence, the Queen remained on all Belizean money, including banknotes and coins. All local currency features a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II, who was Belize's first head of state. On coins, the Queen faces right and wears the heraldic Tudor Crown. Two types of effigies of the Queen were used for different denominations.

Belize has maintained its connection to the British monarchy, with King Charles III becoming the monarch and head of state following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022. The Belizean Crown today functions as a guarantor of stable governance and a safeguard against the abuse of power. While the King's role is mostly symbolic and cultural, he possesses constitutional powers, and royal assent is required for laws to be enacted and for letters patent and Orders in Council to have legal effect.

The Queen's portrait is on all local banknotes and coins

Belize was a British colony until it gained independence in 1981. As a result of this colonial history, the Queen's portrait is on all local banknotes and coins. Belizean banknotes include the $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, with the largest colloquially known as a blue buay (blue boy). The obverse of these notes features the monarch's portrait.

Belizean coins also feature a crowned effigy of the monarch. These include the $1 and $2 coins, with the one-dollar coin being the most prominent, and smaller coins such as 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, and 1 cent. Queen Elizabeth II, Belize's first head of state, is depicted on these coins facing right and wearing the heraldic Tudor Crown. Two types of effigies of the Queen were used, one by Cecil Thomas for coins of 1-50 cents and another by Raphael Maklouf for the dollar coin.

The current Belizean monarch and head of state is King Charles III, who ascended the throne on September 8, 2022. While the country has been independent since 1981, the monarchy still plays a role in Belize's system of government, with the monarch as the sovereign and head of state. The Crown functions as a guarantor of stable governance and a nonpartisan safeguard against the abuse of power. The monarch's role is largely symbolic and cultural, with most powers exercised by elected officials.

Belize's current monarch is King Charles III

While the person of the sovereign is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled the King of Belize and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions as representatives of the Belizean state. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.

All executive authority is vested in the monarch, and royal assent is required for the National Assembly to enact laws. Most of the powers are exercised by the elected members of parliament, government ministers, and judges. Other powers vested in the monarch are significant but are treated only as reserve powers.

The Governor-General of Belize is the representative of the monarch and exercises most of the powers of the sovereign. The Governor-General is appointed for an indefinite term and serves at the pleasure of the monarch.

Belize's current monarch, King Charles III, is also the monarch of the other Commonwealth realms. The succession to the throne is the same as the succession to the British throne.

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