The Governor of Northern Ireland was the principal officer and representative in Northern Ireland of the British monarch. The office was established on 9 December 1922 and abolished on 18 July 1973.
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The office of the Governor of Northern Ireland was established on 9 December 1922 under Letters Patent to:[1]
"do and execute in due manner as respects Northern Ireland all things which by virtue of the Act and our said Letters Patent of 27 April 1921 or otherwise belonged to the office of Lord Lieutenant at the time of the passing of the Irish Free State (Constitution) Act 1922."
The Governor had possession of the Great Seal of Northern Ireland.
The Governor was the successor in Northern Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the autonomous region of Northern Ireland, itself established on 3 May 1920.[2] The office of the Governor was abolished on 18 July 1973 under Section 32 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.[3] The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, a cabinet office that had been created in 1972 took over the functions of the Governor on 20 December 1973 under Letters Patent.