The governor-general of Norway (Danish: Rigsstatholder or Swedish: Riksståthållare, both meaning 'lieutenant of the realm' (see stadtholder)), was the appointed head of the Norwegian Government in the absence of the monarch, during the union with Denmark and Sweden.

The office of Governor-general of Norway was established in 1556 and was occupied with occasional interruptions until 1814.

[1] The following describes the office of governor as it was from 1814 during the union with Sweden: The office came into existence by the Norwegian Constitution, of 4 November 1814 where the paragraphs 12, 13 and 15 stipulated that a governor-general of Swedish or Norwegian nationality could be appointed.

Protests left the position empty until 1836, when it was filled by a Norwegian appointee.

The demand to abandon the office completely was ultimately granted in 1873 by King Oscar II.