[3] As set out in section 55 of the Constitution, the King's representative in Tuvalu is the governor-general, who must be at least 50 years of age and be qualified to be elected as a member of parliament.

[4] The governor-general has constitutional responsibilities and reserve powers in relation to the ordering the Parliament of Tuvalu to convene and the appointment and dismissal of the prime minister.

[3] In 2003, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Tuvalu delivered directions as to how the governor-general should proceed to take any action they considers to be appropriate under Section 116(1) of the Constitution, acting in his own deliberate judgment, rather than as advised by the cabinet.

The then Governor-General, Sir Iakoba Italeli was called on to exercise the reserve powers when Prime Minister Willy Telavi refused to recall parliament after the 2013 Nukufetau by-election.

[9] When the Parliament met on 30 July, the Speaker (Sir Kamuta Latasi) refused to allow a debate on a motion of no confidence in the government of Willy Telavi.

[14][15][16] The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a lion passant atop a St. Edward's royal crown with "Tuvalu" written across a scroll underneath, all on a blue background.

Teniku Talesi was the first woman to be appointed to the role (albeit for an interim period),[18][19][20] holding office from the resignation of Iakoba Italeli in August 2019,[21] until being replaced by Samuelu Teo (then also serving as Speaker of Parliament) in January 2021.