Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo has been sworn into office as the seventh President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. She was elected President at a meeting of the Electoral College held on January 20, 2023, unseating former President Paula-Mae Weekes, the first female President of the twin island state.
Her Excellency’s inauguration ceremony was held on 20 March at the Queens Park Savannah, Port of Spain, where well-wishers, schoolchildren and other onlookers gathered to welcome her and husband Kerwyn Garcia as they arrived at the venue.
The ceremony was well attended by dignitaries including Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Mrs Archie, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife Mrs Sharon Rowley, and outgoing President Paula-Mae Weekes, who participated in the ceremonial handing over of the reigns of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
The ceremony included the traditional breaking of the Presidential Standard, a musical interlude, the swearing-in ceremony and an inspection of the Guard of Honour by Her Excellency Kangaloo.
In her first address as President, Her Excellency thanked former President Paula-Mae Weekes and paid tribute to this country’s past presidents. During the speech, she said, “As your President, I will fight to the end to make the office work better for all of us.”
