Earl of Catalina

The Earl of Catalina (French (masculine): Comte d'Îles-du-détroit, or (feminine): Comtesse d'Îles-du-détroit) is the representative of the Queen Angelina II of Sierra. The Earl of Catalina is equivalent to the Lords Proprietor of the other territories in the Kingdom and the Lords Superintendent of the Kingdom's provinces, states, and areas. The Earl of Catalina was originally known as the Lord Proprietor of the Channel Islands, the term which, although can be used as an appropriate term for the title, has fallen out of popular usage. Historically, the Earl of Catalina was a purely cosmetic title conferred to Channeliers of high status by the Monarchy. When the Channel Islands became its own territory rather than a constituent part of the Gold Coast, the Earl of Catalina was converted into its current form as the Queen's official viceregal representative. Like the Lords Proprietor or Superintendent, the Earl of Catalina is appointed at the pleasure of the Queen and is responsible for carrying out the Queen's ceremonial and constitutional duties within the islands during the Queen's absence. In addition, the Queen, through the Earl, serves as the foundation of the Channelier government, thus requiring all acts of legislation and executive actions to be done with the consent and in the name of the Earl. The Earl carries out his functions with the advice of the Territorial Governor, the popularly elected head of government. The incumbent Earl is Olivier Lémieux, who was appointed in February 9, 1999 by Queen Angelina I, on the day the Channels officially became a territory.

Aside from the Earl's constitutional role (issuing letters patent, granting royal assent, etc.), the Earl fulfills an important ceremonial role as a link between the Channelier people and the monarchy. The Earl is the head patron of all state-accredited charities and organizations in the islands and attends all official ceremonies in the Channels. In addition, the Earl is the ceremonial commander-in-chief of the Channelier National Guard, and represents the Channels as the host of all international events held in the islands. During a vacancy or incapacity, the President of the Channel Islands Legislature serves as the Earl.