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The '''Governor of Bremen''', officially the '''Governor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen''' ({{wp|German}}: ''Gouverneur der Freien und Hansestadt Bremen''), is the head of state of the [[Bremen|Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen]], an autonomous city-state of the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Traditionally, the governor has always been the reigning {{wp|British}} monarch, currently [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]] since 13 October 2017.
The '''Governor of Bremen''', officially the '''Governor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen''' ({{wp|German}}: ''Gouverneur der Freien und Hansestadt Bremen''), is the head of state of the [[Bremen|Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen]], an autonomous city-state of the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Traditionally, the governor has always been the reigning {{wp|British}} monarch, currently [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]] since 13 October 2017.


Following the ratification of the {{wp|Treaty of Versailles}} in 1919 which ended the {{wp|First World War}}, [[Bremen]], along with [[Hamburg]], two city-states that were previously independent for much of their history, formally came under the jurisdiction of the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Consequently, issues surrounding its autonomy and status within the {{wp|United Kingdom}} soon arose, but were ultimately settled with the passing of the [[Kingdom of Hanover Act 1924]], which among others, defined [[Bremen]] as an "autonomous city-state", thereby giving it its own legislative body, as well as control and autonomy to some extent over certain issues such as economy and immigration. In the meantime, the position of governor was established, and which was intended as a strictly hereditary and mostly ceremonial office, with the officeholder normally being the reigning {{wp|British}} monarch.
The position of governor was first created on 28 June 1919, in line with the signing of the {{wp|Treaty of Versailles}} that ended the {{wp|First World War}}. Prior to that, for decades long, [[Bremen]] had largely been an independent city-state, before finally coming under the jurisdiction of the {{wp|German Empire}} in 1871, where it, along with twenty-six others, became constituent states of the {{wp|German Empire}}. However, following {{wp|German Empire|Germany}}'s defeat in the {{wp|First World War}}, the {{wp|United Kingdom}} sought to incorporate [[Bremen]] into its borders, but was initially rejected for fear of the city-state losing its autonomy and relative degree of independence it had enjoyed for decades beforehand. In the end, as per the {{wp|May 1919 Agreements}}, which would later be incorporated into the {{wp|Treaty of Versailles}}, it was agreed that [[Bremen]] would remain not a part of the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, but otherwise made an "autonomous self-governing territory for which the {{wp|United Kingdom}} is responsible", similar to that of the {{wp|Crown Dependecies}}. In line with this, the {{wp|British}} monarch, as the city's head of state, was officially granted the title of governor, but is otherwise represented by a lieutenant governor, whom serves in the monarch's capacity as the city's head of state, while its administration is headed by the lord mayor.


As head of state, the governor is responsible for a number of functions, which included appointing the head of government, known as a lord mayor, giving assent to bills passed by the legislative body, and representing the country abroad on the international stage. Generally, most of these duties are performed by the lieutenant governor, whom serves as the governor's deputy and representative in [[Bremen]].
As head of state, the governor is responsible for a number of functions, which included appointing the head of government, known as a lord mayor, giving assent to bills passed by the legislative body, and representing the country abroad on the international stage. Generally, most of these duties are performed by the lieutenant governor, whom serves as the governor's deputy and representative in [[Bremen]].

Revision as of 11:11, 28 January 2023

Governor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen
Gouverneur der Freien und Hansestadt Bremen
Flag of Bremen.svg
Flag of Bremen
AlexBlackII.jpg
Incumbent
Alexandra
since 13 October 2017
StyleGovernor (informal)
Her Excellency (formal)
StatusHead of state
ResidenceGovernor House, Bremen
Term lengthLife tenure
Formation28 June 1919
First holderFrederick
DeputyLieutenant Governor of Bremen
Websitegovernor.bre

The Governor of Bremen, officially the Governor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen (German: Gouverneur der Freien und Hansestadt Bremen), is the head of state of the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen, an autonomous city-state of the United Kingdom. Traditionally, the governor has always been the reigning British monarch, currently Queen Alexandra since 13 October 2017.

The position of governor was first created on 28 June 1919, in line with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War. Prior to that, for decades long, Bremen had largely been an independent city-state, before finally coming under the jurisdiction of the German Empire in 1871, where it, along with twenty-six others, became constituent states of the German Empire. However, following Germany's defeat in the First World War, the United Kingdom sought to incorporate Bremen into its borders, but was initially rejected for fear of the city-state losing its autonomy and relative degree of independence it had enjoyed for decades beforehand. In the end, as per the May 1919 Agreements, which would later be incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles, it was agreed that Bremen would remain not a part of the United Kingdom, but otherwise made an "autonomous self-governing territory for which the United Kingdom is responsible", similar to that of the Crown Dependecies. In line with this, the British monarch, as the city's head of state, was officially granted the title of governor, but is otherwise represented by a lieutenant governor, whom serves in the monarch's capacity as the city's head of state, while its administration is headed by the lord mayor.

As head of state, the governor is responsible for a number of functions, which included appointing the head of government, known as a lord mayor, giving assent to bills passed by the legislative body, and representing the country abroad on the international stage. Generally, most of these duties are performed by the lieutenant governor, whom serves as the governor's deputy and representative in Bremen.