ABOUT KING’S HOUSE

King’s House, an official state building, is the more commonly known name for The Office of The Governor-General (OGG). It serves not only as the official residence of The Governor-General but also houses the critical administrative, programmatic, and technical offices essential to the duties of The Governor-General.

The OGG, as stipulated by the Jamaican Constitution, comprises the full personal staff of the Governor-General.The OGG does not function as a typical Government Ministry, Agency or Department. Instead, it operates in a unique capacity, focused on supporting The Governor-General and upholding historical, cultural, and ceremonial traditions associated with The Office.

Under the leadership of the Governor-General’s Secretary (GGS), King’s House is responsible for a range of essential functions that ensure the smooth and effective operation of The OGG. These responsibilities include:

  1. Coordinating and managing daily administrative tasks while supporting The Governor-General in fulfilling his Constitutional, Legislative, Ceremonial, and Social duties.
  2. Overseeing and implementing programmes and initiatives that align with the strategic objectives of The OGG, promoting national pride and social cohesion.
  3. Facilitating communication between The OGG and other Government entities as well as key stakeholders from the private and non-profit sectors.
  4. Ensuring the maintenance, preservation, and promotion of the cultural heritage and historical legacy of King’s House as a symbol of national pride and identity.

 

Vision

A culture of Excellence through People, Performance, and Partnerships.

 

Mission

To support the Governor-General in the execution of the Constitutional, Legislative, Ceremonial and social duties of the Office.

HISTORY OF KING’S HOUSE

The chronological list of Governors of Jamaica acknowledges General Edward D’Oyley as the first Governor, beginning his term as early as 1661. At that time, Jamaica was a Crown Colony of Great Britain. Initially, no official residences were designated for the Governors. They could choose to reside wherever they wished, and some even took up lodgings with members of the Executive Council of the Government.

The necessity for the Governor to have a fixed residence gave birth to King’s House. Interestingly, the official residences of the Governors of Jamaica have always been referred to as King’s House, even during the reigns of Queens.

By 1690, a King’s House had already been established in Port Royal. Governor George William O’Brien, Second Earl of Inchiquin, requested the construction of a new King’s House in St. Jago De La Vega of the St. Catherine District. The plans for the King’s House in Spanish Town were drafted by Thomas Craskell, the island’s engineer, with the building completed in 1762 during the governance of Sir William Henry Lyttleton (1762-1766). This King’s House in Spanish Town was a significant structure during its time.

In 1826 the property was sold to King George IV for Five Thousand Pounds (£5,000.00) and held in trust as the residence for the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Jamaica. In 1872, the capital was shifted from Spanish Town to Kingston and the Governor at the time, Sir John Peter Grant (1866 to 1874), chose Somerset Pen, presently known as King’s House Lands, to erect the new King’s House. The Government purchased the property for Six Thousand Pounds (£6,000.00). The Governor resided in the Annex (Bishop’s Lodge) while the new King’s House was built around it. The remodelled King’s House, which cost Eight Thousand Pounds (£8,000.00), took two years to complete. This version of King’s House remained until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1907.

Sir Charles Nicholson, an architect from London, was brought in to oversee the restoration which started in the same year. Sir Charles Nicholson skillfully incorporated a portion of the remains of the old structure into the present King’s House. The new structure has a curious arrangement of buttresses on the ground and second floors which are intended to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes.

A fire in 1908 destroyed a coach house, the stables, and some of the menservants’ rooms. These structures were all rebuilt within a year. The current King’s House bears a striking structural resemblance to the house as it was post-reconstruction in 1907.

The ‘Old King’s House’ in Spanish Town was ravaged by fire in 1925 and lay in ruin until 1932. During this period, Lady Slater, the wife of Governor Alexander Ransford Slater (1932-1934), gathered funds to preserve specific parts of the building’s structure. Another phase of restoration was undertaken by Sir Kenneth Blackburne during his tenure.

 

 

THE HOUSE

The house covers approximately 4,876.8 metres. It comprises three storeys and the rooms on the ground floor are arranged around an open patio.

Situated on the ground floor is the Ballroom, where portraits of past Governors, Governors General, Queens and Kings are kept and where balls and other state and ceremonial functions take place. The Foyer, the official entrance of King’s House, the office of the Aide-de-Camp. A set of three silver lamps which were presented by the British Government during Independence celebrations in 1962 are on display in the foyer. The State Dining Room, kitchen and pantry are also housed on this floor.

The Governor-General’s private office, the Morning Room, and the State Drawing Room are situated on the principal floor. The Morning Room, contains an amalgam of antique and modern furniture.

The top or upper floor consists of the Private Quarters and the Guest/VIP Suite. King’s House has offered hospitality to a long line of distinguished visitors to Jamaica, including royal personages, presidents, statesmen and others.

BISHOP’S LODGE

THE BISHOP’S LODGE

The Somerset Pen property was the traditional home of the Anglican Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Jamaica for 46 years before being bought by the Government for £6,000.

The Governor resided at a lodge on the property while the new King’s House was being built around it. The construction took about two years and cost nearly £8,000.

Unfortunately, all this hard work was in vain, as the 1907 earthquake destroyed the home.

GROUNDS & GARDEN

The grounds on which King’s House is situated was approximately 190 acres and originally known as Somerset Pen. Sir John Peter Grant, who was Governor from 1866 to 1874, planted the first lawn at King’s House and also had the garden professionally laid out. The most exceptional feature of the grounds is the mile-long driveway flanked by palms and aptly named Palm Tree Avenue.

Sir William Grey who was the next Governor, from 1874 to 1877, made radical changes. He converted the front of the house to the side, and the side into the front. The lawns and gardens were transformed into vegetable and food plots, and grazing lands. In 1877, he was replaced by Governor, Sir Anthony Musgrave who, along with his wife, Lady Musgrave, restored the gardens to their former glory. Sir Anthony Musgrave was Governor from 1877 to 1880.

 

A variety of trees adorn the gardens. Most outstanding are the majestic cotton trees imported from South Africa. Members of the Royal Family have planted lignum vitae trees during their visits to King’s House. In addition to mahoe and banyan trees that were brought in from India, there are flowers, ferns and plants from all over the world.

In 1973, thirty acres of King’s House land were cut off to build Jamaica House, which was the official residence of the Prime Minister of Jamaica. This building now houses the Office of the Prime Minister.

Each year on National Heroes Day, the King’s House grounds are used for the National Honours and Awards Ceremony during which The Governor-General presents Awards to deserving citizens.

RESIDENTS OF KING’S HOUSE

Between 1874, when the first King’s House was built, and now there have been over thirty ‘caretakers’ of this country. Their titles range from President, Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, to Governor-General. They have all served for varying numbers of years.

GOVERNORS & ADMINISTRATORS

  • Sir John Peter Grant Governor 1866 -1874
  • Sir Henry Arthur Blake Governor 1889 – 1898
  • Sir Sidney Olivier Administrator 1904
  • Sir Hugh Foote Governor 1957 – 1962

GOVERNORS-GENERAL OF INDEPENDENT JAMAICA

  • Sir Kenneth Blackburne 1957 – 1962
  • Sir Clifford Campbell 1962 – 1973 (First Native Governor General)
  • Sir Florizel Glasspole 1973 – 1991
  • Sir Howard Cooke 1991 – 2006
  • Sir Kenneth Hall 2006 – 2009
  • Sir Patrick Allen 2009 – Present

OFFICIAL VISITS

Throughout the history of Jamaica, there have been numerous royal visits to this country. King’s House is the home of visiting royalties and Heads of State. These include:

 

● Prince Albert and Prince George of Wales – 1880
● The Duke of Windsor and Prince George – 1891 to open the great Jamaican Exhibition.
● Prince Albert – 1913.
● The Duke and Duchess of York – 1927
● King George the Sixth and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – 1931
● Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh – 1953.
● Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret and her Spouse represented the Queen at the first official opening of Parliament in Independent Jamaica- 1962
● His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia – 1966.
● Princess Anne spent her honeymoon here in December 1973.
● Prince Edward paid a five-day visit April 23-27, 1992
● Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh – March 1-3, 1994.
● Queen Elizabeth II – 2002

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