Office of the Lieutenant-Governor
Government House is located centrally in Jersey on St Saviour’s Hill. It is built on land which was bought by the Reverend Philip Le Breton in 1803 (Rector of St Saviour’s Church).
In 1814 Francis Janvrin, a prosperous ship owner, bought the original standing property from the Rector and demolished it. He then built the current Government House on the site and called it Belmont.
In 1822 the Lieutenant-Governor Major General Sir Colin Halkett acquired the house. He was unhappy with the one he lived in, which was in King Street where the New Look (previously Woolworths) shop stands today. He thought that the Lieutenant-Governor, “would at Belmont possess the desirable opportunity of seeing together, without apparent partiality, such of the inhabitants, and strangers, as naturally expected to be invited to Government House”.
During World War II, the house was occupied by the Germans and General von Schmettow lived there as Commandant. The butler and his wife stayed on after the occupation, and it was largely due to them that the property remained intact.
Government House continues to be the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor, annually entertaining over 3,000 guests who attend functions at the house and in the grounds.
The Lieutenant-Governor is appointed by The Queen for a period of 5 years. He is to act as her personal representative and impartial adviser.
Royalty and other important official visitors stay at Government House during their visits to Jersey. The last time Her Majesty The Queen stayed was in 2005 for the 60th Anniversary of Liberation.
Some of the Lieutenant-Governor's specific responsibilities include:
- to represent Her Majesty The Queen on ceremonial occasions
- to host Royal, Ambassadorial and VIP visits and occasions in conjunction with the Island's authorities and the UK government
- to act as a point of contact between the Island's authorities and the UK government
- to play a full and active part in the social and charitable affairs of the Island and to promote community activity in this area
- to carry out certain executive functions, primarily in relation to the control of immigration, deportation and naturalisation and the issue of passports
- to transmit recommendations for certain Crown appointments to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from the Insular and Church authorities, as appropriate
- to make recommendations for the award of Honours to Island residents
- to be the Commander in Chief of UK Armed Forces in the Island
- to direct the administration of the Crown Estate in the Island
Visit www.jersey.com/governmenthouse for further information.