Monarchy of Fiji
The monarchy of Fiji arose in the 19th century, when native ruler Seru Epenisa Cakobau consolidated control of the Fijian Islands in 1871 and declared himself king, or paramount chief, of Fiji (Fijian: Tui Viti). Three years later, he voluntarily ceded sovereignty of the islands to Britain, making Fiji a crown colony within the British Empire.
| Monarchy of Fiji | |
|---|---|
| Coat of arms of Fiji | |
| Details | |
| First monarch | Seru Epenisa Cakobau |
| Last monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Formation | 5 June 1871 |
| Abolition | 10 October 1987 (1987 Fijian coups d'état) |
On 10 October 1970, and after nearly a century of British rule, Fiji became a Commonwealth realm—an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations with Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji and head of state—with the official title of Dominion of Fiji. Following two military coups in 1987, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, Fiji became a republic.
The Great Council of Chiefs continued to recognise Elizabeth II as Tui Viti, or the traditional Queen of Fiji, notwithstanding Fiji's status as a Commonwealth republic. The position was not constitutional, nor otherwise legal in nature. The Council was disestablished in 2012, by decree of President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. Elizabeth II did not use the title, nor did the Fijian government recognise it.