The President of the States of Alderney is directly elected every four years and there is no constitutional limit to the number of terms served.
As a result of this, Alderney was invaded and occupied by the French twice in 1204 and 1205 before being reclaimed by England each time.
[4] In 1228, the title of the Lord of Alderney became extinct as Peter L'Ingenieur had no lawfully begotten male heirs.
[4] During this time France invaded Alderney again before being expelled by English forces, with King Henry III of England stripping the Bishop of the rights to Alderney and taking sole ownership as a result of the French actions.
[6] In 1660, during the Restoration of the Monarchy, Edward de Carteret was granted the title of Governor of Alderney by King Charles II of England as a reward for loyalty to the Crown and became the leader of Alderney as a result, with Ling remaining as Lieutenant-Governor.
[7] In 1825 the governor, John Le Mesurier III, resigned the grant of the island and returned it to the Crown in exchange for an annual pension of £700 (approximately £51,300).
This led to the Parliament of the United Kingdom discussing what to do with Alderney as land ownership markers and official papers had been destroyed in the war and Alderney's economy was stagnating as a result of more than half of the islanders not returning.
The United Kingdom's Home Secretary, Chuter Ede recommended "Guernseyfication" of Alderney.